Real Madrid have advanced in talks with Borussia Dortmund to sign teenage midfielder Jude Bellingham, according to reports.
The 19-year-old was a reported target for Los Blancos at the beginning of the season. Along the line, the reports died down, with several outlets going on to claim that Madrid had decided against the move.
This, they claimed, was due to their decision to move for other targets who would cost as much money as the 19-year-old England Three Lions midfielder. Those claims have now been invalidated as several sources close to the club have revealed to the media that Los Blancos are indeed going ahead with their pursuit of the former Birmingham City youngster.
This puts Liverpool and Manchester City’s chances of bagging the teenager to strengthen their squads ahead of the new season.
Both clubs have been reported to be the most interested in his services after Madrid, with Liverpool even reported to have gone the farthest to establish contact with the player, his entourage and Borussia Dortmund.
The Reds, however, pulled out of the race in the middle of the season. Sources claim that they prefer to strengthen other areas of the team and that spending that much money on Bellingham will not solve their issues.
The 14-time UEFA Champions League winners are believed to have been given a price of £132 million by Dortmund for Bellingham. Sky Sports Germany reported, however, that Madrid could spend between £106 million and £132 million for the Dortmund midfielder.
They cite a source who claims that Bellingham will move to Spain in the summer without fail as the negotiations are going smoothly. This would make Bellingham the most expensive player of British origin, surpassing Welsh legend Gareth Bale, who left Madrid at the beginning of the season following a trophy laden spell which saw him win the UEFA Champions League five times.
The deal, Sky Sports Germany reports, is helped greatly by the good relationship which Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has with Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke.
It remains to be seen if the youngster will thrive in Spain but it appears the Bernabeu is now his next destination, barring any last minute change.
Bellingham, meanwhile, will be focused on helping Dortmund finish the season as league winners. They are one point behind a struggling Bayern Munich and they are close to ending the Bavarians’ decade long hold on the Bundesliga title.
