Real Madrid News
Real Madrid plan to convince Bellingham to join by using the ‘Tchouameni strategy’
The Jude Bellingham transfer saga is set to dominate the headlines this summer transfer window as clubs like Real Madrid and Manchester City battle it out to sign the 19-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder.
Easily one of the best young midfielders on the planet at the moment, Bellingham has seen his stock go through the roof since joining Dortmund back in 2020. With top clubs vying for his signature, the German outfit have slapped a massive €150 million price tag on their star man.
It saw Liverpool drop out of the race for Bellingham, leaving Real Madrid and Manchester City as the two frontrunners for his signing.
But, Los Blancos cannot compete with the riches of the Premier League champions nor are they willing to shell out such a high price for the teenage midfielder.
Hence, according to MARCA, Real Madrid are planning to use the strategy they employed to sign Aurelien Tchouameni last summer to convince Bellingham to choose the Santiago Bernabeu over Manchester City.
It is no secret that Tchouameni was being courted by other top clubs like Liverpool and PSG in the summer transfer window last year. The Frenchman would have received a much more lucrative financial package at either of those clubs.
As per the report, when Tchouameni was close to agreeing a move to Liverpool, Real Madrid representatives travelled to Monaco and held talks with him where they won his approval.
Following that the 23-year-old decided to turn down a bigger contract in favour of donning the white of Real Madrid. And, the plan is to repeat the tactic with Jude Bellingham as well.
The Merengues consider the 19-year-old as their main target for the summer window and have been working on the operation for more than ten months to get everything right in terms of his contract offer and other aspects.
Now, in the coming months, representatives from Real Madrid will travel to Germany to try and convince Bellingham to choose them over other clubs like they did with Tchouameni last summer.
It has previously been reported that the reigning champions of Spain and Europe will try and sell the idea of how Bellingham can win the biggest of trophies if he joins them while also pointing out Kylian Mbappe’s decision to snub them, following which he has had a somewhat troubled season at PSG.
Real Madrid are confident about Bellingham’s signing as he is yet to accept any proposal from any other club despite the interest he has generated. The club are in regular contact with his entourage and Dortmund as well.
With Real Madrid laying down a plan to get Bellingham’s signing across the line, it will be interesting to see if they are successful in beating Manchester City in this race.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid dressing room heavyweight raises concern over Vinicius: “We have to make him happy again”
One of the major sagas of the summer transfer window was the contract renewal involving Vinicius Junior.
Real Madrid and Vinicius had been in talks over a new deal for a significant period, and there were stages when it felt like an agreement might not be reached.
However, in the end, the film had a happy ending, with the 26-year-old putting pen to paper on a new deal at the club.
Despite the new deal, there are some concerns over Vinicius that have now reached the dressing room.
As quoted by Diario AS, an unnamed dressing-room heavyweight approached Mourinho after the game and expressed worry about the treatment Vinicius is receiving from a section of the Bernabeu crowd.
“Worried about Vini
The concern came after Vinicius was heavily whistled when he was substituted late in the Inter match, despite producing one of his stronger collective performances of the season.
“Boss, I am worried about Vini,” the senior player told Mourinho.
“After everything he has done for Madrid over the years, the way part of the fans have treated him is not normal. We have to make him happy again.”
This is no longer only about outside criticism or Mourinho publicly defending one of his forwards. The dressing room itself has recognised that Vinicius may need support.
Mourinho still sees Vinicius as untouchable
Despite how the crowd have been treating the 26-year-old, within the club, there is no doubt about what Vinicius brings to the table.
Mourinho sees him as one of the first names on the team sheet and an untouchable player in his plans for the club.
To his credit, the Brazilian has shown far greater defensive commitment and a willingness to sacrifice himself for the sake of his team.
This has undoubtedly led Mourinho to appreciate the effort, and the manager is determined to help Vinicius return to his best level.
Madrid need to protect one of their key players
That approach makes sense.
Vinicius has spent years carrying enormous attacking responsibility at Madrid. A difficult spell should not suddenly erase what he has already shown he can provide.
If Mourinho, the president and the dressing room are all united behind Vinicius, that support could be decisive.
It is high time the Bernabeu crowd also got behind their talisman and gave him the support he deserves.
The Brazilian will also have to become more consistent with his performances, and it remains to be seen how Mourinho addresses this situation.
