Real Madrid News
Real Madrid hold positive talks with Bellingham’s camp, but unwilling to pay €150m
A recent report from The Athletic has offered an update on the future of Jude Bellingham. The Borussia Dortmund starlet has emerged as the star attraction in the market and is expected to make a big-money move in the summer, with Real Madrid among the clubs interested.
However, as per the report, there are clouds of uncertainty brewing over Real Madrid’s pursuit of Bellingham. The club have made informal and positive talks with the midfielder’s camp over a potential move to Santiago Bernabeu in the summer.
But internally, the club are unsure about signing Bellingham due to multiple factors, one of which is his price tag. Dortmund are indeed looking for a staggering €150 million fee for the services of the Englishman, which is beyond Real Madrid’s valuation.
The Whites are not willing to pay that amount for Bellingham and have set a particular fee they are willing to shell for the midfielder. They have not shown any desire to move away from that figure.
Moreover, signing a new midfielder is not one of Real Madrid’s priorities in the coming summer. This is because the club have taken Toni Kroos and Luka Modric’s contract extensions for granted. They are also expected to offer a contract extension to the in-form Dani Ceballos.
Instead, Los Blancos are prioritising the signing of a new number nine, especially with Karim Benzema nearing the final phase of his career.
The signing of Bellingham, therefore, appears to be a distant prospect for Real Madrid in their bid to strengthen their ranks in the middle of the park. The player himself seems to favour a move to Liverpool and is a huge admirer of coach Jurgen Klopp.
However, a prolonged stay at Dortmund has not been ruled out either, as Bellingham enjoys his life in the city and has become one of the most important components of the first team.
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.
