According to multiple Spanish media reports this morning, Real Madrid are leading the race for Jude Bellingham going into 2023.
Bellingham is set to leave Borussia Dortmund in the summer after three outstanding season's in the Bundesliga. Brought further into the spotlight during England's World Cup campaign, the 19-year-old will likely have his pick of Europe's elite clubs, but it is Liverpool and Real Madrid who are consistently named as frontrunners due to their long-standing work behind the scenes.
Where the teenager decides to start the next chapter of his career remains to be seen, but reports this morning from Spain suggest Madrid have made Bellingham their absolute priority in the summer. Carlo Ancelotti, much like Jurgen Klopp, is keen to rebalance an ageing midfield of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and the now-departed Casemiro.
READ MORE: Jude Bellingham transfer latest as Liverpool suffer Real Madrid 'priority' blow
Marca reported this morning that Madrid have made Bellingham their number one target after the midfielder 'convinced absolutely everyone' in the Spanish capital. The England international has become 'the great objective' for next summer as Ancelotti continues to rebuild his midfield. Los Blancos beat Liverpool to the signing of Aurelien Tchouameni last summer, replacing Casemiro, and the former Everton boss now sees Bellingham as a natural successor to Luka Modric.
And now they have fully set their sights on Bellingham, AS also report this morning the midfielder 'chooses Real Madrid'. They go on to claim that the Dortmund star has made a conscious decision not to return to England, following his departure from boyhood club Birmingham City in 2020. A 17-year-old at the time, Bellingham received offers from a number of top Premier League clubs, but his decision to join Dortmund bore fruit instantly, and he is thought to be keen to continue that path.
Interestingly, both stress the importance of Madrid coming to an agreement with Dortmund as soon as possible, in order to avoid a bidding war with what is viewed in Spain as the endless wealth of the Premier League. And while that may resemble some truth regarding the likes of Manchester City, the same cannot be said for Liverpool, who rarely pay way over the odds for even their most coveted targets.
They, like Madrid, will hope that any agreement can be met without the saga that would inevitably drive Bellingham's price even further up.
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