Real Madrid News
Real Madrid to go all out for 19-year-old England star as long-term midfield solution
Ahead of the summer transfer window, Real Madrid were heavily tipped to make a superstar signing. Kylian Mbappe was the player most heavily linked with a move to Santiago Bernabeu until he suddenly decided to renew his contract with Paris Saint-Germain.
The PSG player’s decision to snub Los Blancos have not derailed their ambitions of signing a rising superstar.
According to reports from Estadio Deportivo, Real Madrid consider Jude Bellingham as the next missing piece in their puzzle. He is seen as a long-term ‘creative midfielder’ by the management and the Merengues will go all out for his signing.
Since his move to Borussia Dortmund in 2020, the midfielder has made headlines regularly. In 32 league appearances for the Bundesliga side last season, the teenager scored three goals and provided eight assists. In 2020/21, he made four goal contributions in just 19 starts.
Real Madrid are looking to move on from their golden midfield of Toni Kroos, Casemiro and Luka Modric in the coming years.
Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga are two young players who are expected to be a part of the midfield set-up for at least the next decade, while Federico Valverde is also in the mix. And one would expect Bellingham to take the third spot in the middle of the park.
However, Los Blancos are not the only club eyeing the 19-year-old. Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea are also in the race for his signing and present stiff competition.
Belligham’s contract with Dortmund expires only in the summer of 2025. The England international is valued in the ballpark of €100 million, meaning that Carlo Ancelotti’s side will have to shell out a large sum to secure his signing.
Real Madrid have finally received some good news as MARCA confirms that Nacho has finally made his decision about his future, and is set to continue at the club for the foreseeable future.
His contract expires in the summer, and Real Madrid had tabled an extension for the player, which was not accepted by the Spaniard at the time. Now, however, he has decided to reject offers from Juventus, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Inter Milan, and AC Milan.
Nacho will sign a one year extension, with the option to extend for another year if both parties reach an agreement.
His continuity also means that he will be the new club captain for the 2023/24 season, since Karim Benzema is leaving the club on a free transfer in the summer. Luka Modric will be second captain, followed by Daniel Carvajal and Toni Kroos.
Carlo Ancelotti has also spoken to the player, confirming that they trust him for next season in the team, which has gone a long way in helping convince the player.
The Italian gaffer also spoke about the Spanish defender’s contract situation after the game against Athletic Club yesterday, saying:
“Asensio, Nacho and Ceballos? We have explained them their roles. The club have offered them renewals. Asensio has preferred to leave, Ceballos and Nacho are still thinking about it.”
While a centre-back by trade, Nacho has played across the defence for Madrid continuously, including putting shifts at left-back, right-back, and even centre-back.
His departure would have probably pushed Madrid to sign another defender, especially since they are considering selling Ferland Mendy if a good offer arrives.
Regardless of that, though, Madrid are moving to sign Alphonso Davies, and have already made initial contacts with the player. Bayern Munich have not rejected their advances.
Further, the los blancos management have already met with Davies’ entourage twice, cementing their interest in the Canadian ace.
