Man City are 'growing confident of signing Jude Bellingham this summer'

Manchester City are reportedly growing increasingly confident of winning the race to sign Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham this summer.

The reigning Premier League champions have long been viewed among the leading contenders to sign the England international.

City, Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid have all expressed interest in the 19-year-old, who has become one of the most coveted players in Europe.

According to ESPN, City have made Bellingham one of their top targets this summer and are increasing confident the will win the race for his signature.

Reigning European champions Real Madrid have been reported as City's main rival, should Bellingham leave Dortmund this summer.

Reports in Spain previously placed a €140m (£123.7m) price tag on Bellingham when speculating that Real Madrid had made an opening offer for the young star.

Dortmund have no obligation to sell Bellingham, with no release clause in his contract – which is due to run until 2025.

The Bundesliga leaders will demand the highest possible fee if they are to sell Bellingham.

This has reportedly led to Liverpool's hopes of signing Bellingham fading, despite their long-running pursuit of the midfielder.

Bellingham shone again during in Dortmund's 6-1 victory over Cologne this weekend, which saw the club move to the top of the Bundesliga.

The England midfielder would be reunited with former Dortmund team-mate Erling Haaland should be move to City, after the Norwegian made the same switch last summer.

Man City boss Pep Guardiola had hailed Bellingham's mentality ahead of the Premier League champions facing Dormund in the Champions League group stage earlier this season.

'I noticed when he was 17 that it wasn't just the quality - it was the shouting, kicking, going to the referee,' Guardiola said.

'This guy has the mentality. He is already one of the captains of the team, that is quite impressive. It's about the whole package.

'He's already in the national team. We know the quality he has.'

Central midfield reinforcements are expected to be a key area for City this summer.

Ilkay Gundogan, the club captain, has been linked with a move when his contract expires at the end of the campaign.

Bernardo Silva, meanwhile, has made no secret of a desire to leave for Spain after six years in England.

Real Madrid are reportedly among the clubs interested in Silva.