soccer
Liverpool ‘favourites’ to sign Bellingham ahead of Real Madrid
Liverpool said to be ‘forging a relationship’ with Bellingham’s camp, making a move to Anfield more likely
There is no doubt that Jude Bellingham has become one of European football’s hottest properties. The Borussia Dortmund midfield is wanted by a number of leading clubs across the continent but it appears as if Liverpool have now moved to the front of the queue, ahead of Real Madrid.
Bellingham won’t turn 20 until June 2023 but has already plied his trade in the Bundesliga for the past three seasons, having rejected a move from first club Birmingham City to Manchester United in 2020 in favour of a switch to Germany. During his spell in North Rhine-Westphalia, he has become a regular in the England squad, impressed in the Champions League and became the club’s youngest-ever captain in a match against Köln last month.
The midfielder holds the record for being the world’s most expensive 17-year-old (he moved for a reported fee of 25m ($28.24m)) and with Dortmund known for cashing in on prize assets having already sold on the likes of Mario Götze, Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland, big money could again be exchanging hands as the race for his services hots up.
Liverpool and Real Madrid fighting it out to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund
And according to ESPN, it is Liverpool who have moved into pole position to sign Bellingham, with the Anfield club having reportedly forged close relationships with members of the youngster’s entourage, information which has come from a source connected to a rival interested party.
Real Madrid are one such party, with Los Blancos setting their sights on Bellingham as a long-term replacement for the magical, but ageing, Luka Modric. The European Champions have already taken steps to refreshing their midfield in the last couple of years, with Aurélien Tchouaméni (22) and Eduardo Camavinga (19) joining the club and Casemiro leaving for Manchester United.
Both Liverpool and Real Madrid looking to overhaul midfields; Bellingham an ideal option
The arrival of the French duo has certainly given the Madrid midfield a more youthful feel, although they are still heavily dependent on 37-year-old Modric and 32-year-old Toni Kroos, who has stated that he wants to end his career at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu but has hinted that he won’t carry on for too much longer.
Liverpool, who lost to Real Madrid in the Champions League final in June, are also looking to bring down the average age of their midfield – and indeed their squad – with the likes of Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcántara and James Milner all over 30, while Fabinho turns 30 next year. Jürgen Klopp signed Arthur Melo on loan from Juventus in the summer transfer window but the Brazilian has made just one appearance since joining the club due to a lack fitness and a subsequent injury.
Bellingham, who has 17 England caps to his name, would certainly be the ideal candidate for either club to build their midfield and team around. As things stand, Klopp may have more of chance of being the builder in this instance than Carlo Ancelotti.