Real Madrid News
Real Madrid will not match €150 million valuation for Liverpool, Man City target – report
With the race for the signing of Jude Bellingham heating up by the day, it seems like Real Madrid might end up missing out on the services of the Borussia Dortmund and England sensation.
Just 19 years of age, Bellingham is one of the most sought-after players in the market. Top clubs like Real Madrid, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Manchester United are all keen on signing the midfielder.
At the same time, Dortmund are unwilling to let go of their prized asset and are willing to make him the club’s highest-paid player in order to keep him at Signal Iduna Park.
If that does not pan out, the Bundesliga heavyweights will demand a massive sum of €150 million for the teenage wonderkid.
However, according to reports from ABC (h/t Madrid Xtra), Real Madrid will not reach the humungous €150 million valuation placed on Bellingham by Dortmund.
The Merengues have been hot on the trails of the former Birmingham City ace for a long time now. However, they are not willing to pay over the odds for the teenager.
And that could hinder their chances of signing Bellingham as two clubs from England are prepared to match the England star’s €150 million price tag.
Furthermore, it has been reported that the reigning champions of Spain and Europe wish to wait until there is clarity over the futures of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric before deciding to make a concerted push for Bellingham’s signing.
Such a stance could see them lose further ground in the race to sign the 19-year-old midfielder.
Bellingham has demonstrated that he is very much capable of performing at the highest level. Despite his young age, the midfielder has captained Dortmund on several occasions and led the team by example.
A generational talent, there is no doubt that he can be an exceptional addition to the Real Madrid roster. However, as things stand, Los Blancos do not wish to reach the €150 million figure to sign him and with clubs in the Premier League ready to do so, things could get tricky for Carlo Ancelotti & co.
Although Antonio Rudiger has had success since joining Real Madrid last summer, the club are in need of more depth and players that can form the backbone of the defensive unit in the years to come.
As part of their plans, Real Madrid are prioritising a move for Josko Gvardiol in the coming summer, reports 90 Min.
The outlet suggests Gvardiol will be one of the most wanted prospects in the market, with both Real Madrid and Manchester City eyeing a move for the Croatian international come the end of the season.
Formerly of Dinamo Zagreb, Gvardiol has enjoyed immense success since his move to the Bundesliga in 2021. He has impressed onlookers with his skill, organisation and discipline, which, coupled with his versatility, make him an appealing target for any European giant.
Gvardiol was also one of the top performers at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, helping Croatia finish third in the competition. His performances have not gone unnoticed, with Real Madrid among the clubs who have been keeping an eye on the defender for a while now.
However, signing Gvardiol will be a tricky task for Los Blancos. The player still has a long-term contract at Leipzig and could cost up to €85 million, as reported by 90 Min. Not to mention, the competition from Man City could be significant.
Real Madrid have no shortage of alternatives, though, with the club notably closely monitoring Portuguese defensive whizkid Antonio Silva, among others. So it will be interesting to see how the Spanish giants approach the market in this coming summer.
