Real Madrid edge closer to Bellingham transfer after London meeting

Suraj Radia

• 7 Mar 2023 17:55 GMT
• 2 min read

Real Madrid are ready to step up their chase for Jude Bellingham after reportedly meeting with the Dortmund midfielder’s representatives in London.

Bellingham is in England ahead of Dortmund’s Champions League knockout tie against Chelsea and French outlet FootMercato claim that the 19-year-old’s father is meeting with Real director of international football Juni Calafat at a hotel near Stamford Bridge.

Calafat is responsible for Real’s global recruitment and will present the team’s project to Bellingham’s family in preparation for a summer transfer, with the La Liga outfit looking to win the race to sign the England international.

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Bellingham is expected to leave Dortmund in the summer, with the German side likely to demand a fee of up to €150 million, although they are also hopeful the midfielder will sign a new contract with the club.

Real have made Bellingham their priority target for the summer, however they are wary of interest from Premier League sides who could likely outbid them, with Manchester City and Liverpool also desperate to seal a deal.

Bellingham’s preference is believed to be a move to Merseyside but Real will push the vision of him being a replacement for Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, who both could depart in the summer when their contracts expire.

What does the future hold for Bellingham?

Liverpool are still considered frontrunners for Bellingham despite the team currently sitting outside the top four in the Premier League, although Man City may be the only team willing to meet Dortmund’s asking price.

Bellingham has not yet made a decision over his future, however he is expected to tell Dortmund he will not extend his contract which is due to expire in 2025.

While the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United are also interested, they are not believed to be serious contenders for Bellingham and it is increasingly likely to be a three-way race between Real, Liverpool and City.

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Real are hoping to secure their midfield for the indefinite future by adding Bellingham to their core of youngsters in Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde.

The Spaniards were also expected to hand new one-year contracts to Kroos and Modric but it is believed that the veterans are leaning towards ending their associations with Real, which has led to more than 800 appearances between the pair.