Real Madrid News
Real Madrid yet to make an offer for Bellingham, Dortmund want €120m plus variables
Over the past week, there has been a lot of chatter surrounding Jude Bellingham and his potential transfer to Real Madrid. Reports suggest that the 19-year-old is closer than ever to signing for the Merengues, with a contract agreement on the verge of being finalised.
At the time, it has also been suggested by some outlets that an agreement between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund was also close, with the two clubs being separated over €30 million variables payment.
But, Christian Falk (via Caught Offside) has come up with a fresh update on the matter, stating that Real Madrid have not sent an offer to Borussia Dortmund for Bellingham as of yet.
However, the BILD journalist adds that the transfer saga could soon be resolved and that the two clubs could soon reach an agreement on the deal.
While there is an expectation from the Bundesliga club that the operation could be closed, they will not budge on their asking price for the 19-year-old midfield sensation.
As per the report, Dortmund want a fixed fee of €120 million for Bellingham plus variables which could take the total value of the operation up to €150 million.
The report states that the numbers mentioned are unlikely to be an issue for Real Madrid, but they might look to negotiate the price down although it is unclear at this point whether they will take that route.
With Liverpool out of the equation and Manchester City not an option Bellingham is considering, Real Madrid know that they are the frontrunners to secure the England international’s signing in the summer.
The 19-year-old’s father, Mark Bellingham, is understood to be speeding up negotiations with Real Madrid and soon all parties involved could meet to finalise the operation.
Bernardo Silva was one of Real Madrid’s headline signings last summer. The Portuguese midfielder arrived on a free transfer from Manchester City and appeared destined to become the creative successor to Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in the middle of the park.
Indeed, with the club having not signed a new central midfielder, many within Real Madrid saw the veteran star as a solution to the issue.
Manager Jose Mourinho made him a starter from the very beginning in pre-season, but not in his usual role on the right. Instead, he deployed his compatriot as a deep-lying playmaker in the midfield double pivot.
A change in circumstances
Silva failed to have the expected influence when operating in a deeper role in midfield in the chances he got.
Combined with the emergence of Arda Guler and Aurelien Tchouameni’s return to fitness, the Portuguese international has now lost his place in the starting line-up and dropped to the bench.
Bernardo’s situation became particularly striking against Villarreal this past Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu, when he did not play a single minute.
Limited opportunities under Mourinho
Bernardo has played six matches for Real Madrid, starting three and coming on as a substitute in another three.
He did not feature against Villarreal or Elche, while his only appearance in the last three matches was a little over 10 minutes against Atletico Madrid. He was not used regularly by the Portugal national team during the international break either.
Across Real Madrid’s eight La Liga fixtures, Silva has accumulated just 282 minutes of playing time.
The Champions League now presents another opportunity for the former Manchester City captain, who has yet to make his European debut for Real Madrid this season.
He missed the match against Inter Milan because he was still serving a suspension carried over from his time at the Etihad Stadium last season.
It remains to be seen whether Mourinho will give him an opportunity against AS Roma in the coming week.
For now, the midfielder’s reduced playing time suggests that the Portuguese coach has lost some of his faith in a player who arrived with high expectations after leaving Manchester City.
