Real Madrid News
Real Madrid identify four possible backup targets if Bellingham does not arrive – report
It is no secret at this point that Real Madrid have made Jude Bellingham their top priority for the summer of 2023. The Borussia Dortmund midfielder is one of the most sought-after commodities in the transfer market and is set to mark a big bidding war next year.
Indeed, apart from Real Madrid, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City are all keen on signing the 19-year-old Englishman. Given the competition for his services and his rising stock, the midfielder could command a huge transfer fee, especially if he has a strong World Cup.
Figures of around €150 million are already being mentioned, although Real Madrid are said to be unwilling to pay over the top for Bellingham.
It could force them to look at other potential options to reinforce their midfield department in the summer. And according to SPORT, Real Madrid have Bellingham as their main target for 2023 but have four more names behind him as possible options.
The four players on the Merengues’ radars as potential backups for Bellingham are Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic of Lazio, Enzo Fernandez of SL Benfica and Lovro Majer of Rennes.
Tielemans is a popular target among several clubs in the market as his contract with Leicester expires next year and he has shown no indication of signing a renewal. However, the Foxes want to offer him a two-year deal and if he does not sign it, they may consider a salein January itself.
As for Milinkovic-Savic, the Serbian midfield powerhouse has been eternally linked with Real Madrid in the past three to four years. However, Lazio’s asking price for the 27-year-old meant that a move never materialised. But he remains on Los Blancos’ agenda as a possible option if Bellingham does not join.
Enzo Fernandez was on Real Madrid’s radar before he joined SL Benfica this past summer. The Argentine has made a good start to life in Europe and, at 21, has shown that he can be a top player, although he would command a huge transfer fee, given that he still has five years left on his contract.
Lastly, Lovro Majer is also seen as an option by Real Madrid. Dubbed the ‘next Luka Modric’, the Croatian international has been doing well for Rennes since joining them last year. Linked with Atletico Madrid as well, the 24-year-old recently signed a new contract, committing himself to the club until 2027.
It remains to be seen how Real Madrid go about their transfer business next summer. But as iterated earlier, Bellingham remains the main objective for the Spanish capital club.
According to AS, Atletico Madrid have made the first approach for Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga, who has also been linked heavily with a move to Real Madrid and Arsenal.
The 20-year-old midfielder has emerged as one of the most exciting young prospects in Spanish football this season, having already netted nine goals in La Liga.
It has alerted a series of top-level clubs, with the likes of Real Madrid, Arsenal, Liverpool and Atletico Madrid all being linked with the youngster, who has a €40 million release clause in his contract with Celta.
Real Madrid are in the market for midfield reinforcements and have identified Jude Bellingham as their top target, but Veiga is also said to be on the agenda at the Santiago Bernabeu
However, recently, the Galician club’s president confirmed that there had been contact from clubs in England, but stated that Real Madrid had made no approach.
On top of that, a report from MARCA quoted a club source saying that they were not contemplating signing the 20-year-old.
Amidst this, it has now emerged that Atletico Madrid have made an approach towards signing Veiga from Celta Vigo in the summer transfer window.
The Rojiblancos are also in the market for new midfielders amid question marks over the futures of Saul Niguez and Geoffrey Kondogbia.
While Diego Simeone’s side have taken a first step, the report indicates that Veiga, in case of the absence of interest from Real Madrid, would prefer to join Arsenal.
So, the Colchoneros will need to put in efforts to convince the 20-year-old to choose them over a move to the Premier League club come summer if they are serious about adding the talented youngster to their roster for next season.
