Bellingham set to sign for Real Madrid: how much will he cost?
According to The Athletic, Real Madrid have agreed a deal to sign Borussia Dortmund and England’s Jude Bellingham, with the teenager to join on a six-year contract.
Jude Bellingham is close to becoming a Real Madrid player, The Athletic has reported. According to the media outlet, Madrid have agreed a deal worth “in excess of €100 million” with Bellingham’s current club, Borussia Dortmund. This appears to be in line with the figures reported by AS, which understands that Madrid were seeking to pay an initial €100 million plus a series of incentivised add-ons. The England midfielder will undergo a medical “in the coming days”, the Athletic says, and is set to sign a six-year contract at the Bernabéu.
Modric heir on the way to Bernabéu
With the summer window not yet officially open, Madrid have moved quickly to secure the services of a player who is seen as a fundamental piece of the club’s project for the future. A classy, vertical midfielder with a real eye for goal, Bellingham is Los Blancos’ chosen successor to midfield legend Luka Modric, who is expected to stay at the Bernabéu for another season. Karim Benzema’s departure for Saudi club Al Ittihad has heightened the urgency of Madrid’s pursuit of a new centre-forward - with Harry Kane the club’s priority target - but, at the same time, the Spaniards have not let up in their chase of Bellingham.
Bellingham deal yet to be signed and sealed
Although the deal has been agreed, the Athletic reports, nothing has yet been signed. Bellingham had given his thumbs-up to a Madrid move some weeks ago, leaving the 14-time European champions with the task of agreeing a fee with Dortmund. The Germans were seeking around €150 million, but appear to have been persuaded to drop their asking price.
Madrid win Bellingham race ahead of City
Madrid have had to beat off major competitors for Bellingham’s signature - chiefly Premier League champions Manchester City. The teenager’s desire to move to the Spanish capital has been key to Los Merengues’ seemingly successful pursuit of the former Birmingham City player.
In Bellingham, Madrid will be signing a player who already has significant experience at the elite level, despite his young age. He has spent three seasons at Dortmund, where he has made 132 appearances in all competitions, scoring 24 goals and supplying 21 assists. He has also won 24 senior England caps, appearing for the Three Lions at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup, starring as a regular starter at the latter tournament.