Real Madrid News
Liverpool ahead of Real Madrid in the race to sign star Englishman
Jude Bellingham was one of England’s finest performers during the FIFA World Cup. Despite the Three Lions’ elimination, the young midfielder made a solid impression with his dazzling performances in the middle of the park.
While Bellingham was already a talked-about prospect in the European market, his eye-catching displays and mature performances have put a myriad of top clubs on red alert, including Real Madrid.
The Spanish giants reportedly consider Bellingham to be the top target in the summer of 2023. This is because the Whites are determined to sign a new midfielder, in light of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos’ uncertain future at Santiago Bernabeu.
Both midfielders are at the final stage of their respective careers and have their contracts expiring at the end of the season. Although talks are going on over a contract extension, Real Madrid must find a long-term replacement sooner rather than later. That is where Bellingham comes into the fray.
However, according to a report from Mirror (h/t Mundo Deportivo), Real Madrid are lagging behind Liverpool in the race to sign Jude Bellingham next summer.
The report suggests that the Premier League giants are ahead in the race because they are willing to pay more than Real Madrid. In fact, the Reds are willing to cough up €115 million for the midfielder. They may even meet Borussia Dortmund’s €150 million asking price.
Liverpool’s desire to splash the cash for Bellingham is hardly surprising as the young midfielder is highly rated by Jurgen Klopp and is one of German’s top targets. After all, the Dortmund starlet has every quality to become the long-term successor of Jordan Henderson.
That being said, the race is far from over and with Liverpool running the risk of missing out on Champions League next season, Real Madrid may still have an excellent opportunity to lure the Englishman to the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool monitoring 19-year-old Bundesliga wonderkid – Romano
According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all monitoring Bayer Leverkusen and Germany wonderkid Florian Wirtz.
After recovering from his ACL injury, the teenage sensation has been slowly working his way back to his best form. So far this term, Wirtz has managed to rack up a tally of two goals and six assists from 13 matches in all competitions.
The 19-year-old’s talent and potential have never been in question and hence it does not come as a surprise that elite clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all keeping tabs on the German international.
A versatile attacking midfielder, Wirtz is capable of playing anywhere in the final third of the pitch and backs up with top-notch end product. Be it as a false-nine or in a more withdrawn role, the youngster has excelled for Bayer Leverkusen, catching the attention of top teams.
Real Madrid, for their part, are also understood to be among Wirtz’s admirers. Given the situation surrounding Karim Benzema’s fitness and the lack of backup at the top, the youngster could be an option, as he has shown potential while operating through the middle.
But Barcelona also have a strong interest in the teenager with reports even suggesting that they have already made contact with his father to enquire about his situation.
At the same time, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is understood to be a huge admirer of his fellow German and with Roberto Firmino on his way out, Wirtz could be lined up as a possible replacement.
However, Romano adds that the expectation is that Wirtz could stay at Bayer Leverkusen for one more year and depart Germany once the UEFA Euro 2024 is out of the way.
For now, there have been talks or negotiations with any clubs, but Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool are all tracking Wirtz and his progress in Germany.
