ERLING HAALAND has been texting Jude Bellingham during the World Cup, the England star has revealed.
It comes amid transfer rumours linking Bellingham with a move to Haaland‘s current club Manchester City.
The pair played together for two seasons while at Borussia Dortmund before Haaland moved on to City in the summer, where he is now tearing up the record book.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Bellingham revealed the pair remain in regular contact.
He said: “Yeah we speak every now and then to be fair.
“Normally when we’re both playing it’s more often but it’s normally silly stuff to be honest, just if he sees something that makes him laugh, or I see something that we’ve talked about before we’ll send it to each other.
“But it’s never like everyday, checking up on each other you know.
“He’s always really encouraging to be fair. He messaged me after the first game and before the first game just saying ‘good luck’, and then he said ‘well done’ so yeah, he’s a top guy.”
Bellingham, 19, has been performing well for the Three Lions in Qatar and is expected to retain his spot in the team when England face reigning champions France on Saturday.
The former Birmingham City star scored England’s first goal of the tournament and played a crucial role in getting England past Senegal as he laid on a goal and hit the pass before the assist for another.
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Bellingham jokingly revealed it was “nice” to not hear Haaland’s name as often at the World Cup.
He added: “Yeah (nice to not hear comparisons) to be honest I’ve not heard his name in two weeks which is like a personal record.
“So yeah I was really enjoying it but never mind. There’s always people you get asked about.
“It’s nice, well not nice that he’s not here but nice not to hear his name for a few of weeks because I know for sure that as soon as the tournament is done and he’s back playing I’ll be hearing it non-stop.”
Haaland, 22, is not at the World Cup due to his nation Norway failing to qualify.
However, at club level he has been far better than anyone bargained for.
The former RB Salzburg and Molde forward has 23 goals in 18 games, including 18 in 13 Premier League outings.
As well as Man City, Bellingham has been linked with a host of other top clubs including Liverpool, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Chelsea, though Paris Saint-Germain have thrown their own transfer intentions out in the open.
Liverpool are said to be the preferred option of Bellingham’s family, though ex-England and Man United defender Rio Ferdinand believes there are three factors which will convince him to sign City.
A fresh report has claimed Bellingham will tell Dortmund he wants to leave once the World Cup is over in order to pursue a move to Jurgen Klopp‘s side.
