Jude now top target at Etihad
the cash after inspired wheeling and dealing.
City have spent more than £635m on transfers over the last four seasons to recruit big-name stars such as Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish, Ruben Dias and Rodri.
But they have recouped almost £485m in sales.
Their net transfer spend over that period works out at just over £31m a year.
And that has put them in a strong position to meet the demands of both Dortmund and Bellingham when the England midfielder comes on the market in the summer.
With Liverpool now out of the running and Manchester United’s transfer plans in limbo until their ownership issue is decided, City are expected to go toe-to-toe with Real Madrid for Bellingham.
But the Spanish giants will have to sell first to raise the necessary finance.
Real have indicated that
they may be ready to sell Aurelien Tchouameni, the French midfielder, who cost them £71.5m when he arrived from Monaco last summer.
And Madrid are also undecided on whether 37-year-old playmaker Luka Modric will be offered a contract extension.
City are already primed to do business – and with Kalvin Phillips failing to have any impact following his £42m arrival from Leeds and Ilkay Gundogan out of contract, they will need midfield recruitment.
The Blues’ financial position could give them the edge in any bidding war, but they would seek assurances from Bellingham that he wants to work with Pep Guardiola.
City have cashed in on stars such as Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Leroy Sane, Ferran Torres and Nicolas Otamendi – but they have also sold fringe players for healthy fees.
According to the latest Deloitte Football Money League, Manchester United and Liverpool pay higher wages, with Chelsea set to overtake them after their £600m spending spree.