Real Madrid News
Real Madrid ready to offer €90 million for top midfield target next summer – report
According to Pacojo on SER Deportivos, Real Madrid are ready to move for Borussia Dortmund sensation Jude Bellingham next summer, with president Florentino Perez prepared to offer €90 million for the midfielder.
Bellingham has emerged as one of the most sought-after midfielders in the game currently. The 19-year-old has made huge strides since making the jump to Dortmund from Birmingham City in 2020.
A permanent fixture in the centre of the park for the Black and Yellows, he has also captained the team on a few occasions despite his young age. Naturally, a host of big clubs from England have taken an interest.
But, Real Madrid are believed to be the best-placed team in the race to sign Bellingham. The Merengues have been working on a deal for the Englishman for a while now, having made him their priority target.
While he is not exactly a like-for-like replacement for Luka Modric, the teenager is being targeted to fill in the shoes that will be vacated by the Croatian legend in a year or two, given that he is already 37 years old.
Bellingham, for his part, is believed to have made it a priority to join Real Madrid as well, handing the Merengues a massive boost.
The 19-year-old is contracted with Dortmund until the summer of 2025, who will make it difficult for Real Madrid to sign him.
While widespread reports have indicated that it will take a sum of over €100 million to sign Bellingham, it seems like Real Madrid want to start the bidding at €90 million.
It is extremely unlikely that Dortmund would accept that figure, knowing that clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United and City can offer much more.
According to reports from Mario Cortegana (h/t Madrid Zone), Real Madrid have two objectives for the upcoming summer transfer window. The centre-forward and the right-wing position are seen as the two positions to be reinforced but no decision has been made yet about making a move.
This comes over and above the Merengues’ pre-existing need for new midfielders and full-backs in the coming windows.
At first sight, it may appear that Los Blancos are well stacked in the final third. In Vinicius Jr, Karim Benzema and Rodrygo Goes, they have three starting quality players who are well-complemented by the likes of Marco Asensio and Federico Valverde.
Yet, Vinicius is the only player on the aforementioned list who can boast of a starting role in a fixed position for at least the next decade.
There is worry over the centre-forward role considering Benzema’s lack of form and fitness throughout the current campaign. With the Ballon d’Or winner already 35, the club need a young reinforcement soon which is evident with the team’s struggle for goals this term.
Los Blancos have already invested heavily in Endrick in this regard. However, that has not stopped them from following established options like Dusan Vlahovic and Erling Haaland as their Brazilian wonderkid will not arrive until 2024.
The right wing is also understaffed despite the presence of young Rodrygo and Fede Valverde. The duo have no dearth of talent but have not managed to click on the wing as well as the manager would have liked.
Thus, it remains to be seen as to who the club targets to strengthen the wing and aim to stretch the play. Given the heavy investment planned for Jude Bellingham, a low-cost option is likely to be considered.
