Real Madrid News
PSG director turned down chance to sign Jude Bellingham in the summer – report
Real Madrid were a hub of activity early in the recently concluded summer transfer window as an array of exits and signings materialized.
While Los Blancos were done with their business relatively early in the window, they pulled off some notable acquisitions, with Jude Bellingham being the club’s primary recruit.
The Englishman arrived for a €103 million fee from Borussia Dortmund and has taken Spain by storm.
However, there was a slight possibility that Real Madrid could have faced some competition for the signing of Bellingham, with PSG being one of the potential clubs eyeing him before he officially joined the Royal Whites.
PSG sporting director turned down Bellingham
Indeed, according to Le Parisien, PSG sporting director Luis Campos rejected the idea of his club signing Jude Bellingham this summer.
The 59-year-old believed Warren Zaire-Emery was already of the same caliber as the English midfielder.
At the Parc des Princes, the PSG youth product has established himself as a mainstay in the first team’s midfield.
This season, he has already started all five of PSG’s Ligue 1 games, and during the most recent international break, he served as France U21 captain, becoming the youngest player to do so in more than 30 years.
The 17-year-old has garnered immense appreciation in Paris and has showcased a great deal of potential.
Bellingham in a league of his own
While the report argues that Campos placed Zaire-Emery, an emerging young player, in the same bracket as Bellingham, it is evident that there is a massive disparity in quality, even if their future trajectories may alter significantly in the coming years.
The 20-year-old has gotten off to an exceptional start in La Liga, registering five goals and one assist in the campaign thus far.
Proving to be the main man for a club as esteemed as Real Madrid undeniably speaks volumes of his talents and indicates his level has surpassed many up-and-coming youngsters.
There just does not appear to be any respite from injuries for Real Madrid.
Just when it appeared that they were close to having their full squad – barring the two long-term absentees – the Merengues have been struck down by fresh injuries this week.
Arda Guler, who was on the cusp of being named in the squad for the Las Palmas clash, injured himself in training on Tuesday.
And now, during the game against Las Palmas at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid have lost key defender David Alaba to an injury.
Close to the 40th-minute mark, Alaba went down on the ground clutching his leg and appeared to be in quite a bit of discomfort.
Soon enough, the medical staff arrived to take a look at the Austrian and seconds later he was off the pitch and straight towards the tunnel.
Lucas Vazquez came on to replace the injured Alaba, with Nacho Fernandez moving into the centre-back position alongside Antonio Rudiger.
Alaba’s injury leaves Carlo Ancelotti with just two fit centre-backs in Rudiger and Nacho, which is set to be a matter of great concern.
The hope will be that Alaba’s condition is nothing serious and that he is able to mount a quick recovery.
