Real Madrid News
English midfielder interested in joining Real Madrid as the ‘next step in his career’
According to journalist Jorge C Picon on Bernabeu Digital, Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham is interested in signing for Real Madrid next summer as he sees the move as the ideal next step in his career.
Bellingham is set to spark a major transfer war in the upcoming summer window. The 19-year-old is on the radars of several European heavyweights, with the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United all credited with an interest.
Real Madrid have also been long-term admirers of the England international and are planning to open ‘serious talks’ with Dortmund for the signing of the midfielder next year.
Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are both in the final year of their respective contracts and there is a strong feeling that the latter could decide to retire when his deal runs out.
Hence, Los Blancos have made it a priority to sign a new midfielder, and Bellingham is believed to be at the top of their list. And Jorge C Picon is now reporting that the 19-year-old himself would look at a move to the Santiago Bernabeu favourably.
The journalist states that Bellingham sees a potential transfer to Real Madrid as a ‘spectacular next step’ in his career. He further adds that Los Merengues will make a move for the 19-year-old ace in the summer.
However, signing Bellingham could be tricky as he has a contract with Dortmund until the summer of 2025, with the deal not having any release clause embedded in it either.
So, the Bundesliga outfit will have a strong negotiating position and could demand a significant sum in exchange for Bellingham. However, Real Madrid have a good relationship with the Black and Yellows and could use it to drive the asking price down.
What seems certain at this point is that Real Madrid are intent on Bellingham and the interest is seemingly being reciprocated by the former Birmingham City starlet.
In what could be a real deal breaker for Real Madrid ahead of their Copa del Rey semi-final second leg clash against Barcelona, it has been revealed that as many as three Barça will be absent from the game while another key player remains a major doubt.
The list includes the likes of Pedri, Ousmane Dembele and Andreas Christensen. The trio is certain to miss the game through respective injuries while a certain Frenkie de Jong is more or less ruled out, as per Javi Miguel.
It must be remembered that Barcelona are heading into the second leg with a 1-0 advantage. But the absence of the aforementioned players means Madrid can work on exploiting the frailties.
Despite the absence of such big names, Barcelona did pretty well against Elche in their previous outing, coming out 4-0 victorious, with the goals coming from Robert Lewandowski, Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres.
With options lacking in midfield, Xavi decided to use the likes of Sergi Roberto and Eric Garcia along with Gavi in the heart of the lineup. In any way, they do have Sergio Busquets and Franck Kessie as backups if needed.
The defence, on the other hand, was perfectly guarded by Jordi Alba, Marcos Alonso, Ronald Araujo and Jules Kounde.
One can expect Xavi to once again interchange Araujo with Kounde on the right since the Uruguayan has been rather successful in minimizing the threat of Vinicius Jr.
As far as Madrid are concerned, they are sweating over the fitness of three key defenders, namely, Antonio Rudiger, Nacho, and Ferland Mendy. Between these three, the Frenchman is out for about a month while Rudiger and Nacho are expected to be back before the Clasico.
If there are no casualties against Real Valladolid, Madrid will have a perfect midfield and attack, with only Mariano Diaz missing.
