Real Madrid are closing in on the capture of Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund.
The England midfielder has been the most in-demand man on the market ahead of this summer's transfer window, but Los Blancos look to have stolen a march on their rivals with a deal to take Bellingham to LaLiga now nearing. Bellingham has shone since leaving Championship side Birmingham City and opting for a switch to the Bundesliga at the age of just 17.
Dortmund stand to make a massive profit - they paid £25million to sign Bellingham themselves - that could be north of £100million when they do cash in. They have shown themselves willing to sell their top players for big money before going out to find the next gem that they can polish before, and are now set to do so again.
Real have been able to impressively regenerate their squad since their Champions League hat-trick, which began in 2016 and ended in 2018. Many of the old guard have either gone or are being phased out with their next crop of stars now featuring regularly at the Bernabeu.
Veteran stars like Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos still remain, with the emergence of the next generation crucial to their European success last season, culminating with victory in Paris over Liverpool.
Adding Bellingham though would see a true superstar move to the Spanish capital, making the European Cup's greatest side an even more ominous prospect. But why is Bellingham heading to the Santiago Bernabeu rather than the Premier League?
Real's vow
Madrid's selling point has centred around him filling the void that will eventually be left by Luka Modric. The 37-year-old has claimed the Ballon d'Or whilst at Real and is a modern day icon.
The Croatian's deal expires this summer and there has been no extension signed as of yet, despite talks and unlike Toni Kroos who has already extended his stay. Modric is thought to have a lucrative offer on the table from Saudi Arabia and could move on, which would leave his No.10 shirt and a major hole vacant.
Madrid’s chief scout Juni Calafat has been key throughout the process. He met with Bellingham’s father, Mark, earlier this year and and has remained in regular communication, which has highlighted how serious the LaLiga outfit are about signing the 19-year-old.
Bellingham stands to inherit the £18m basic gross salary that is currently paid to Modric, which could complete a midfield overhaul. Casemiro, Kroos and Modric were pillars of previous success. The former has already joined Manchester United, Kroos is well into his 30s and is already thinking about his next steps when his playing days are over.
In their place Madrid have gradually added, prioritising young talent.
Eduardo Camavinga, whose stock had risen at Rennes, signed in 2021. A year later Real returned to the French market to add Aurélien Tchouaméni from Monaco, seeing off Liverpool in the process. If Bellingham does sign they could pick a midfield trio who are aged 23, 20 and 19, along with the versatile Fede Valverde, still only 24 and enjoying his best goalscoring season this term. They are fully stocked for the next decade.
Dortmund are also prepared to let Madrid pay their £130million deal in instalments, which will ease the financial burden on the Spanish giants. Their nine-figure sum, including add-ons, can be paid over the length of his six-year deal with the Spanish side respectful of Bellingham's role in Dortmund's title push.
City overpowered?
There had been fears that Real would be outgunned by Manchester City, who were also very keen on Bellingham with Pep Guardiola admitting his interest. The Premier League champions had negotiated with Dortmund to sign Erling Haaland last summer and retain a strong relationship with the German club.
Bellingham is expected to, eventually, return to England, and Madrid feared that such an allure would prove too much. But with time on the player's side he could still head to Spain and return to his homeland later in his career, should he wish to do so.
Pep Guardiola's midfield has remained settled for several years with Rodri at the base and the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva in front. The German's contract is winding down whilst the Portuguese playmaker has previously eyed an exit. Barcelona would like to sign both.
City will need to eventually bring some youth to their midfield outside of Phil Foden and Cole Palmer, and Bellingham would have not only added huge quality, but also helped with their homegrown quota. However, unless something major changes, an Etihad reunion with Haaland is not on the cards.
Liverpool exit stage left
The Reds had been another potential destination and their decision to not add a midfielder last summer was seen as a sign that they were saving themselves and their cash for Bellingham. The Reds desperately need to refresh their midfield, which is ageing and can no longer implement the energy and intensity it once did, while the likes of James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain look set to depart on free transfers this summer.
However the club have opted out of the race in recent weeks, copping criticism from fans and former players, as they change their strategy in the market. Signing Bellingham would utilise the majority of their budget, potentially leaving them light in other areas.
Several midfielders are needed as well as possible reinforcements in defence. Putting all their eggs in the Bellingham basket may have left them short with Jurgen Klopp previously commenting: "The difference is whatever we do next year will never be enough from people's point of view and your point of view. But, yes, with smart recruitment we will improve, definitely. That is the plan."
However, after making a major push, privately, and given Bellingham's relationships with both Jordan Henderson - whom he sees as something of an older brother - and Trent Alexander-Arnold, both of whom have courted him publicly, it is undoubtedly a blow and a missed opportunity for the Reds.
Their loss is ultimately set to be Real's gain.
