Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola made a bold attempt to beat Real Madrid to the signing of Jude Bellingham over the summer.

Marca says before Borussia Dortmund had agreed to sell the England midfielder to Real, City's manager made contact with the player.

Guardiola spent three hours on the phone with Bellingham trying to convince him to join him at City. But the youngster was determined to join Real.

Just last week, Real board member Juan Manuel Otero revealed: "They told us the other day at lunch with Girona. People from Manchester City came to eat and told us that they had been talking to Bellingham.

"They said that their father 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."