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Jack Grealish gives Pep Guardiola green light to progress with Man City transfer target
Jack Grealish scored on his Champions League debut against RB Leipzig on Wednesday.
Guardiola tells Grealish to emulate Sterling with goal return
Manchester City star Jack Grealish has heaped praise onto Jude Bellingham after the youngster played a key part in Borussia Dortmund’s midweek Champions League victory. Grealish was among a host of England internationals to pass on their congratulations to the teenage star, who could well be on the move next summer.
Bellingham notched a goal and an assist as Dortmund battled to a tricky away victory against Besiktas on Wednesday.
His display was merely a continuation of the great start he and Erling Haaland have made to the campaign, a pair of young starlets who are striking up quite the partnership.
In a social media post which showed Bellingham picking up the Man of the Match award, Grealish left his congratulations, saying: “Love to see it.”
It was also a great night for Grealish himself, scoring and setting one up on his long-awaited Champions League debut at the Etihad.
The pair clearly share mutual respect, despite the fact that the Dortmund star came through the ranks at Birmingham City.
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The former Aston Villa man could be putting in the legwork for City boss Pep Guardiola, who is thought to be an admirer of Bellingham’s.
According to the Daily Star, the 18-year-old has recently been added to the Blues’ wish list with a view to making him Fernandinho’s long-term replacement.
The Brazilian turns 37 over the course of this season, and he is expected to leave once his contract expires in 2022.
However, where City could hold a vacancy in holding midfield, Liverpool are also thought to be interested and could fit him into a preferred box-to-box role.
Reds captain Jordan Henderson has also been doing his bit to lure in Klopp’s midfield target, leaving exactly the same comment as Grealish, albeit with a slightly different choice of emojis.
James Maddison and Demarai Gray were also among the Premier League stars to show their appreciation for his performance.
Grealish may have to pay some more compliments if he is to keep up with Henderson, who spoke highly of Bellingham after the latest round of England fixtures.
After impressing against Andorra, the Liverpool man claimed that he was a ‘fantastic player’ who is ‘ready to play in the big games’.
Bellingham is clearly a popular figure within the England camp, where he has already racked up eight senior caps at such a young age.
Rated at £80million, whoever decides to pursue the teenager will have to shell out serious cash, never mind fending off serious competition.
Chelsea are also likely to be in the mix to bring the Stourbridge-born midfielder back to England in what could be a furious race to secure his services next summer.