Real Madrid News
Real Madrid turned down the signing of now-€130 million midfielder in the past
Borussia Dortmund have made it a part and parcel of their philosophy in recent years to nurture young talents and sell them for profits. The German club is one of the top destinations for any up-and-coming player, for their prominent place in Europe allows the club to showcase its proteges at the highest level.
When Dortmund shelled out a whopping €30 million for a 17-year-old midfielder from England back in 2020, one knew that they had spotted something other clubs had failed to envisage. Three years later, they stand to quadruple their investment in that very star, Jude Bellingham.
Mundo Deportivo brings to light that Real Madrid was given the chance to sign Bellingham back in 2018 and 2019, before he moved to Germany. Andres Manzano, one of the world’s best scouts and sporting advisor of Birmingham City three years back further revealed that Los Blancos had refused to bet on the player at the time.
When Bellingham decided to take a step up from Birmingham City, Manzano was tasked with finding the youngster a new club. Real Madrid were not the only club to turn down his signing at the time after being offered it, with arch-rivals Barcelona taking the same decision too.
At the time, €30 million was seen as an atrocious price tag for an untested talent, forcing Real Madrid away from the move. Three years later, the Merengues are in desperate pursuit of his signature and are willing to shell out over €100 million for the same.
The Galacticos were initially considered the favourites to land Bellingham, but the scenario has drastically turned around in recent days. The battle is not seemingly between Liverpool and Manchester City, with Jurgen Klopp’s side in the driver’s seat after City’s financial sanctions.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool monitoring 19-year-old Bundesliga wonderkid – Romano
According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all monitoring Bayer Leverkusen and Germany wonderkid Florian Wirtz.
After recovering from his ACL injury, the teenage sensation has been slowly working his way back to his best form. So far this term, Wirtz has managed to rack up a tally of two goals and six assists from 13 matches in all competitions.
The 19-year-old’s talent and potential have never been in question and hence it does not come as a surprise that elite clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all keeping tabs on the German international.
A versatile attacking midfielder, Wirtz is capable of playing anywhere in the final third of the pitch and backs up with top-notch end product. Be it as a false-nine or in a more withdrawn role, the youngster has excelled for Bayer Leverkusen, catching the attention of top teams.
Real Madrid, for their part, are also understood to be among Wirtz’s admirers. Given the situation surrounding Karim Benzema’s fitness and the lack of backup at the top, the youngster could be an option, as he has shown potential while operating through the middle.
But Barcelona also have a strong interest in the teenager with reports even suggesting that they have already made contact with his father to enquire about his situation.
At the same time, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is understood to be a huge admirer of his fellow German and with Roberto Firmino on his way out, Wirtz could be lined up as a possible replacement.
However, Romano adds that the expectation is that Wirtz could stay at Bayer Leverkusen for one more year and depart Germany once the UEFA Euro 2024 is out of the way.
For now, there have been talks or negotiations with any clubs, but Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool are all tracking Wirtz and his progress in Germany.
