Real Madrid are reportedly finalising a deal for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham.
That’s according to Spanish publication Marca, which is reporting that the England international has opted to join the Santiago Bernabeu club. The report also claims that Bellingham will become a Real player from June 30 and will sign a deal until the summer of 2029.
The update comes just a day after Real’s slim hopes of regaining the Spanish La Liga title were all but extinguished by a defeat at Champions League hopefuls Real Sociedad. Goals from Takefusa Kubo and Ander Barrenetxea secured the hosts a 2-0 win at the Reale Arena.
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As reported by the ECHO last month, Liverpool had stepped away from their pursuit of Bellingham after the scale of their required summer midfield overhaul became glaringly apparent.
The Reds had made Bellingham a high-priority transfer target for much of the season, with Klopp a long-time admirer of the 19-year-old's talent. However, Borussia Dortmund have slapped a price tag in excess of £100million on the England international.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp and the club’s recruitment team have determined they would be better served spreading the cash on several signings rather than committing the majority to one big-money arrival.
Asked about his club’s decision for the first time, Klopp recently said: "There's nothing to say about it to be honest. If we don't speak about players we are signing or not signing, why would I talk about it now?"
Before he added: "It's not about Jude Bellingham. I never understood why we constantly speak about things we theoretically cannot have. You have to realise what you can do. It's about what you can do, and you work with that.
"You have to work with what you have. We are not children. You wouldn't say as a five-year-old at Christmas you want a Ferrari, you don't say 'that's a good idea'. It's too expensive and you can't drive it.
"Whatever we need and want we try absolutely everything to get it but there are moments when you have to accept it's not possible and step aside and do different stuff."
Claims from German publication BILD this afternoon also suggested Madrid had 'upped the pace', with a deal for Bellingham moving closer.
Their latest article said: "In the transfer negotiations, the Spaniards and Bellingham's father Mark are now really speeding up. Real chiefs are planning a visit to Dortmund to secure the midfield star's final commitment.
"First and foremost it's about sporting development - Bellingham is desperate to win the Champions League. As SPORT BILD learned from Spain, it is also about hefty commission payments."
Liverpool's list of potential targets is lengthy as work continues behind the scenes. Chelsea duo Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher are understood to be players of interest, along with Brighton pair Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo. Links have also emerged connecting the Reds with Sporting Lisbon's Manuel Ugarte and Florentino Luis of Benfica.
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