Pep Guardiola is reportedly pushing hard to bring Jude Bellingham to Manchester City, as the Spanish tactician sees the young English superstar as a perfect addition to his midfield. Guardiola has admired Bellingham for a long time, not only because of his incredible technical quality, but also due to the maturity, confidence, and leadership he brings at such a young age.
According to sources close to Manchester City, Guardiola believes that adding a player like Bellingham would elevate City’s midfield to an even higher level, giving them more control, creativity, and balance.
In an attempt to make this dream transfer possible, Guardiola has put forward an ambitious proposal to Real Madrid. The idea being considered involves sending Rodri to the Santiago Bernabéu as part of a swap deal. Rodri, widely regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, would move to Real Madrid, while Bellingham would head to the Etihad.
To make the offer even more appealing, City are also prepared to include a financial payment on top of Rodri’s value, bringing the total package close to 150 million euros. This combination of a world-class midfielder and a significant transfer fee shows just how much Guardiola wants to land Bellingham.
However, despite the size and seriousness of the proposal, Real Madrid have completely rejected the idea. Club president Florentino Pérez and manager Xabi Alonso reportedly view Bellingham as absolutely untouchable. From their perspective, the English midfielder is not only one of their most important players right now, but also a foundational piece of the club’s long-term project.
Real Madrid see Bellingham as someone who will lead the team for many years, both on and off the pitch. His performances, personality, and impact on the squad make him far too valuable to consider selling, even for a massive financial package or a top player in return.
Although the concept of a swap deal has been mentioned behind the scenes, the reality is that it stands almost no chance of happening. Real Madrid are not open to negotiations, and they have no interest in weakening their team midway through the season.
For that reason, any move involving Bellingham during the winter transfer window is viewed as extremely unlikely. Guardiola may admire the young star, and Manchester City may be willing to go all out, but for now, Jude Bellingham remains firmly unavailable, and Madrid have made that position very clear.
