Man City's midfield transfer options if Jude Bellingham joins Real Madrid

Manchester City don't have much to worry about this summer.

Last year's transfer window was uncharacteristically busy as changes swept through the club with several players departing the Etihad and even more pitching up. With the additions of Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland, City's front line is sorted for the foreseeable.

Defence may need a bit of attention depending on the fates of Aymeric Laporte and Joao Cancelo but otherwise, it's a new quality midfielder Pep Guardiola would like to add the most. However, the best possible signing City could make in Jude Bellingham appears increasingly likely to join Real Madrid instead.

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So who should City sign? Our writers have had their say on possible alternatives...

Joe Bray

Bellingham is the stand-out midfielder on the market, and any alternative would be a downgrade. For me, it's imperative that Ilkay Gundogan stays, especially with Bernardo Silva's long-term stance that he'd be open to a move away from England. In terms of getting someone in, the only other option I can see is Declan Rice.

Even if Gundogan stays, he won't be at City for longer than two or three years, so Rice could be a natural long-term replacement. He has shown with England he can play alongside another defensive-minded player, and would take the pressure off Rodri playing as many games as he has this season. And Rice's relationship with Kalvin Phillips from international duty could also save that particular transfer from being a complete waste as it's threatening to be.

Aside from that, it's hard to see who else is good enough for City, and also available this summer.

Daniel Murphy

Even if Gundogan and Bernardo