Real Madrid News
Real Madrid met with top target’s father last week, player leaning towards Spain move
German media outlet BILD report that Jude Bellingham’s father Mark was in Madrid last week for talks with Real Madrid over his son’s transfer. The Borussia Dortmund star has no shortage of options on his table, but it increasingly appears that he is tending towards a move to Spain.
The English international is Real Madrid’s dream target for the upcoming transfer window as they look to solidify their midfield core for the next decade.
Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde already represent the new generation of young stars, and Bellingham would arrive as the final piece in the puzzle.
The 19-year-old midfielder is Dortmund’s most highly prized asset, and the German side hope to make a fortune from his sale. He arrived at Signal Iduna Park for €23 million in 2020 and is now expected to move out for over five times the value.
Die Schwarzgelben want at least €150 million for their midfield star according to the same outlet. However, Los Blancos refuse to match the valuation.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side are prepared to shell out big money for the player but have set a limit on how far they are willing to go. They will reach the nine-figure mark, but will not cave into Dortmund’s demands.
If Luka Modric and Toni Kroos renew for a further season, there is no urgent need for Real Madrid to sign Bellingham at that price.
The player has a contract until 2025 with the German side and could be available for a better price next year, provided he does not sign a new deal.
It is only the competition from Liverpool and Manchester City that pushes the European Champions to splash the cash immediately.
The teenager scored four goals and provided an assist in seven UEFA Champions League games this season. However, his side fell short to Chelsea in a controversial second leg earlier this week.
As for his future, while the aforementioned report claims that Bellingham is leaning towards a move to Spain, only time will tell if Real Madrid are able to secure his services.
Real Madrid’s performance against Real Betis was shambolic, to say the least as the team faced many of the problems that have haunted them over the past couple of years.
But on a night where most of the attackers struggled to create anything of note, Dean Huijsen emerged as a lone bright spark for Los Blancos.
Huijsen keeps his promise
As reported by MARCA, Huijsen was the standout performer for Real Madrid, marshalling the backline with real authority even as the team struggled around him.
There has been a noticeable shift in the young defender’s mentality this season, with the player showing more competitive nature and looking much fiercer.
This is an attitude Huijsen had always promised, having inherited the iconic number four shift from David Alaba, a number he associates with his idols Sergio Ramos and Fernando Hierro.
“What I do know is that I’ll give everything of myself every day, whether in training or in a game,” he vowed, and at La Cartuja he delivered on that word.
His primary task was neutralising Juan ‘Cucho’ Hernandez, and he did so superbly, drying up the Colombian’s supply and repeatedly anticipating danger.
He also held his own in a niggly battle with Antony, refusing to be ruffled by one of Betis’ most inspired performers.
His composure on the ball, one of the qualities that has elevated him, saw him venture forward, forcing a fine save from the goalkeeper in the 11th minute and later heading against the woodwork.
The Konate partnership grows
Alongside him, Ibrahima Konate did his job, albeit without matching his partner’s brilliance.
The Frenchman was a little less assured, both in and out of possession, reflecting the two speeds of the centre-back pairing.
Huijsen looks settled and increasingly commanding, while Konate is still building the sharpness needed to reach his best in white.
Nonetheless, the partnership is heading in the right direction, and in Huijsen, Real Madrid appear to have unearthed a genuine leader for an area that has long been a weakness.
Each performance is also an argument to Luis de la Fuente, as the defender looks to reclaim the Spain spot he lost before the World Cup.
