Real Madrid board member José Manuel Otero has revealed Manchester City’s disappointment over how they were treated by the Bellingham family this summer, after speaking to officials from the club.
Otero has appeared on the Twitch channel Remontada Blanca, with his comments on Bellingham and Manchester City relayed by AS.
Bellingham is currently the star of world football after a flying start to life at Real Madrid following a €103m move from Borussia Dortmund.
The move to the Bernabeu came after months of speculation about his future, with it made clear midway through last season that he would be leaving Dortmund after three years at the club.
All of the big clubs in Europe were linked with his signature, including Manchester City, who at one stage appeared to be towards the front of the queue.
It’s a deal that’s worked out well so far, with Bellingham quickly settling into his new setting with eight goals and two assists in eight games in La Liga, and two goals and assist in two games in the Champions League.
That is surely leading to some disappointment for those that missed out on him, and it seems Manchester City could be one of them.
“They told us this the other day at lunch with Girona. People from Manchester City came to eat and told us that they had been talking to Bellingham,” he said.
“They said that the father (Mark Bellingham) had entertained them a little by giving them hope, but Jude said no, that he wanted to play for Real Madrid.
“That is happening with many players. When the prospect of signing for Real Madrid opens up to them, they forget everything else. Madrid is the best way to achieve glory.
“Bellingham cost a lot of money, but is it expensive? I don’t think so. It’s the same as a Rolls Royce. It costs a lot of money, but it is not expensive. What you get for what you pay is very important.”
