Manchester City have been credited with an interest in Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Jude Bellingham recently, and the England international could prove to be the ideal heir to Kevin De Bruyne in Pep Guardiola's side.

According to 90min, the Premier League champions are keen on both Bellingham and Bukayo Saka after they impressed for the Three Lions at the World Cup in Qatar recently.

The former Birmingham City gem, who is still just 19, was ranked as the second-best performer for Gareth Southgate's squad according to WhoScored, as his one goal and one assist helped him to a superb 7.58 rating.

Bellingham has also been in sensational form for Dortmund so far this term, scoring four times in the Champions League group stage, including one at the Etihad Stadium, while he also has three goals and two assists to his name in the Bundesliga.

Although any transfer for the teenage wonderkid would likely set City back around £130m, he appears to have the potential to play at the top level for at least another decade-and-a-bit, so it could be a shrewd investment by the Citizens if they sign him.

De Bruyne is still at the top of his game, with his three goals and nine assists in the Premier League this season ranking him behind only Erling Haaland at the Etihad in terms of goal contributions. However, the Belgium international will turn 32 next summer and City could soon need a replacement if he is to decline in the twilight of his career.

The fact that Bellingham ranks first in Dortmund's squad for shots and dribbles per game emphasises that he is a midfielder who loves to get forward and contribute in attack, similar to De Bruyne.

Roy Keane was full of praise for the young midfielder after his performance in England's 3-0 quarter-final win over Senegal at the World Cup.

The former Manchester United captain said: "This is what you want from a midfielder, powerful, strong, anticipation, a little bit of luck but it's game over.

"He's going to be a superstar that kid. We keep using the word but maturity, he plays like he's played 100 times for England.

"I've not seen a young midfielder perform like that for years. His maturity, his decision making, which is huge for a midfielder, the kid has everything."

WhoScored suggests that both Bellingham and De Bruyne excel at playing through balls and key passes, which suggests that the Englishman could be the ideal heir to the Belgian in terms of creating chances in Guardiola's side.

Therefore, Txiki Begiristain should do all that he can to ensure that City win the transfer race for the teenager in 2023.