Real Madrid make contact with Bellingham over summer transfer

6 Oct 2022 17:16 BST
3 min read

Jude Bellingham, Dortmund, 2021/22 — © ProShots

Real Madrid have identified Jude Bellingham as a top transfer target and have begun preparations to sign the Dortmund midfielder next summer.

The 19-year-old is one of the most coveted players on the market, with Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United among the clubs likely to compete with Real to sign Bellingham.

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Spanish outlet Revelo claims Bellingham has been tracked for months by Real and that chief scout Juni Calafat is personally handling the matter, with Madrid hoping to ‘reinforce their core’ with the England international.

The report states that Real have ramped up their interest in recent months and have been in contact with Bellingham’s representatives to learn more about the player’s personality and personal development.

The insight is part of Real’s due diligence when pursuing a youngster and is something which indicates Los Blancos have stepped up their chase for a player, as they followed similar steps when signing Vinicius Junior, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni.

The reports on Bellingham have, so far, come back positive although Real are hoping the player’s desire the join the club will help lower Dortmund’s reported €150 million asking price.

Bellingham still has three years left on his contract with Dortmund but Revelo claim he has no intention of renewing despite the Bundesliga side willing to double his wages to €6m.

Bellingham ‘key to Real’s future’

Real believe Bellingham is ‘key in the puzzle’ of their future, with midfielders Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Dani Ceballos all out of contract next summer.

Kroos has an offer of an extension on the table but Real believe the German is more likely to leave than sign it, while Modric will evaluate his future at the end of the season, as will Ceballos.

Jude Bellingham is the first midfielder in Champions League history to score in three consecutive matches as a teenager.

Game-changer 🌟 pic.twitter.com/POHrlYHzjm
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) October 5, 2022

Should those three depart, it would leave Real with just three senior central midfielders in Camavinga, Tchouameni and Federico Valverde, hence why Bellingham is at the top of Madrid’s shopping list.

Real are aware that they face strong competition from Premier League sides for Bellingham’s signature and are hoping their early contact with his representatives could give them the edge in the race.