La Liga heavyweights Real Madrid have reportedly established contact with Borussia Dortmund over 18-year-old English international Jude Bellingham.
According to reputed Spanish journalist Ramon Alvarez de Mon, Jude Bellingham is becoming a key target for Real Madrid, albeit for next year’s summer transfer window. The Merengues have already contacted Borussia Dortmund to discuss the possibility of snapping up the 18-year-old wonderkid in 2023.
Jude Bellingham is one of the most promising young midfielders in Europe, having already made massive strides in his budding career. The teenage prodigy first burst into the limelight when he became a pivotal figure for Birmingham City FC aged 16. And after becoming a hot property in 2020, he chose to join Borussia Dortmund.
Over the last two years, the 18-year-old has come leaps and bounds, becoming a key figure for the Bundesliga heavyweights while also establishing himself as a full-fledged English international. To date, Bellingham has amassed ten goals and 17 assists in 83 appearances for Dortmund. And his progress has captured the attention of several European bigwigs, including Real Madrid.
The interest from Real Madrid stems from the advancing years of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, with the two ageing midfield stalwarts approaching the final phases of their respective careers. While the veteran midfielders continue showing that they still have the required levels to change the course of a game on their own, the fact that they are well into their thirties will not be lost on Real Madrid.
As a result, several midfielders have emerged on Real Madrid’s radar lately, with Bellingham a viable option to be a long-term successor for Modric. And the Merengues seem to be taking a sensible call of pursuing the 18-year-old English international over a stretched period instead of wanting to sign him this coming summer.
Real Madrid’s preference would be to snap up Bellingham in the 2023 summer transfer window, and they have already established contact with Borussia Dortmund. The Spanish giants are hoping to reach a consensus with the Black and Yellows over a possible transfer next year, taking advantage of their negotiations over signing Erling Haaland, another key target, albeit for this year.
There is no mention of Dortmund’s stance over selling Bellingham, although an appealing offer from Real Madrid could sway them. For now, it looks like the 18-year-old English international will stay put at Signal Iduna Park for another year before becoming the subject of interest over a move in 2023.
