Real Madrid News
Bellingham ‘imagined’ playing for Liverpool for few years before joining Real Madrid – report
Real Madrid are steadily making positive strides in their bid to sign Jude Bellingham this summer. The Borussia Dortmund midfielder is ready to quit Bundesliga in favour of move to Santiago Bernabeu and all parties are nearing an agreement.
Bellingham’s potential move to Real Madrid could serve as a major blow for Liverpool, which, at one point, were the favourites to sign the Dortmund starlet.
In a recent article for the Caught Offside, Bundesliga journalist Christian Falk has commented on Bellingham’s transfer situation, explaining why the midfielder ended up opting for a Real Madrid move despite having a clear intention to join the Reds.
Accordng to Falk, Bellingham had ‘imagined’ playing for Liverpool soon after his Dortmund stint. He wanted to play for the English giants for a few years before eventually joining Real Madrid with more experience and prestige.
It is worth nothing that one of Bellingham’s all-time favourite footballers is former Liverpool superstar Steven Gerrard. And he could have had the golden opportunity to become an ideal long-term solution for the Reds in that position.
However, Liverpool were never really in the fray as they did not want to spend a fortune on one player, at a time when the Reds had to address multiple problems throughout the first-team.
Another possible reason listed by Falk as the reason behind Bellingham’s decision to opt for Real Madrid over Liverpool is his father’s high commission and a change in FIFA Laws regarding taxation for agents from October.
Bellingham’s father wanted to wrap up a deal in the summer and couldn’t wait beyond, knowing the new FIFA laws would be applicable from October. Real Madrid were willing to pay for the high commissions of his father while Liverpool simply did not.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid eye €3.5 million-rated relegated Premier League striker to reinforce attack
Following a difficult season with troubles in La Liga and the Champions League preventing Real Madrid from retaining their crowns, Los Blancos move towards a transformative summer, full of innovations.
Real Madrid managed to clear plenty of unwanted figures at the club, with a huge relief on the wage bill. However, with an array of exits, the squad has contracted and thus replacements are being inquired.
Apart from the high-profile departure of Karim Benzema, fringe players have also bid their farewell.
Among those names is Mariano Diaz, who was Madrid’s backup striker prior to his withdrawal. Several names have been put on the table to fill his absence as the club largely aim to address their lack of depth.
According to Arancha Rodriguez (via RM4Arab), Leeds United striker Rodrigo Moreno is one of the names gaining consensus in the Madrid hierarchy. Moreover, Joselu has also been considered as a viable alternative.
The two favourites to replace Mariano have proven to be important figures for their clubs as both strikers maintain a starting role.
Playing for Espanyol, Joselu ended the La Liga campaign as the third top scorer, only behind Benzema and Lewandowski. Considering Espanyol’s relegation, such a feat looks even more impressive. The Spaniard secured 19 goals in all competitions.
On the other hand, Rodrigo Moreno recorded 16 goals last season across all competitions. Similar to Joselu’s case, the Spanish international also suffered relegation with Leeds, in spite of his good numbers.
With both players offering adequate output in struggling sides, Real Madrid’s interest is practical. Moreover, considering both Espanyol and Leeds were relegated, their asking price will undeniably lower, which enables the Merengues to sign one of the two targets at a more convenient rate.
It is claimed that Rodrigo has a release clause worth €3.5 million which Los Blancos would have to trigger to sign him from Leeds United.
It now remains to be seen whether Carlo Ancelotti & co. go after the former Valencia man or move for Joselu instead.
