Real Madrid News
Liverpool leading Real Madrid, Man City in race for €150 million England international
With the race for Borussia Dortmund midfield sensation Jude Bellingham heating up by the day, SPORT1 journalist Patrick Berger (via The Redmen TV) has issued a huge update on the battle for his signing.
According to the German journalist, Liverpool are currently in pole position to sign Bellingham, leaving behind Real Madrid and Manchester City in the race.
The 19-year-old midfielder is easily the most sought-after player heading into the summer transfer window. Real Madrid and Liverpool have been working behind the scenes for his signing for a long time now, while Manchester City are also in the equation.
Recent reports even suggested that Chelsea are also considering throwing their hat in the ring for the England international.
But, as things stand, it seems like Liverpool are leading the race for the signing of the former Birmingham City ace.
It will come as a blow for Real Madrid, as they had identified Bellingham as one of their priorities for the summer.
With Luka Modric and Toni Kroos in the final phase of their respective careers, Los Blancos see Bellingham as the ideal signing to take over from the veteran pair and form the midfield unit for the future along with the likes of Fede Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga.
However, recent reports suggested that Real Madrid were having doubts about the transfer as they are not in a position to match the Premier League clubs when it comes to the financial aspect.
Borussia Dortmund, for their part, are hoping to keep the midfielder at Signal Iduna Park and are even considering making a bumper contract offer worth €15 million per year for him.
If they fail to agree a new deal with the 19-year-old, the Black and Yellows will demand a sum of €150 million for their prized asset, which Real Madrid are unwilling to pay.
It might give Liverpool an edge, although the Reds could miss out on Champions League football next season, which might leave the door open for the Merengues.
According to reports from Mario Cortegana (h/t Madrid Zone), Real Madrid have two objectives for the upcoming summer transfer window. The centre-forward and the right-wing position are seen as the two positions to be reinforced but no decision has been made yet about making a move.
This comes over and above the Merengues’ pre-existing need for new midfielders and full-backs in the coming windows.
At first sight, it may appear that Los Blancos are well stacked in the final third. In Vinicius Jr, Karim Benzema and Rodrygo Goes, they have three starting quality players who are well-complemented by the likes of Marco Asensio and Federico Valverde.
Yet, Vinicius is the only player on the aforementioned list who can boast of a starting role in a fixed position for at least the next decade.
There is worry over the centre-forward role considering Benzema’s lack of form and fitness throughout the current campaign. With the Ballon d’Or winner already 35, the club need a young reinforcement soon which is evident with the team’s struggle for goals this term.
Los Blancos have already invested heavily in Endrick in this regard. However, that has not stopped them from following established options like Dusan Vlahovic and Erling Haaland as their Brazilian wonderkid will not arrive until 2024.
The right wing is also understaffed despite the presence of young Rodrygo and Fede Valverde. The duo have no dearth of talent but have not managed to click on the wing as well as the manager would have liked.
Thus, it remains to be seen as to who the club targets to strengthen the wing and aim to stretch the play. Given the heavy investment planned for Jude Bellingham, a low-cost option is likely to be considered.
