Bellingham ‘signs’ for Real Madrid!

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 11 Jan 2023 18:06 GMT
• 3 min read

Jude Bellingham has added further fuel to the fire that he will move to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer after he was filmed signing a Real Madrid shirt for a fan.

El Chiringuito TV posted a video on Twitter on Wednesday showing Bellingham penning his signature on a Blancos shirt for a Madrid supporter.

In truth, not too much should be read into the fact that Bellingham signed a Real Madrid shirt.

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After all, it would have been even more of a PR awkwardness if Bellingham had denied a young fan the chance of an autograph from his hero.

But the incident has not stopped Madrid fans from feeling an increased confidence that they will sign the Englishman.

Madrid have emerged as the favourites to sign Bellingham in recent weeks, according to multiple sources, moving ahead of Liverpool, Chelsea and other interested parties.

Liverpool had been considered as favourites for the Borussia Dortmund star due to their excellent relationship with the player and his family.

But Madrid have moved ahead in the race. They are going all-in on Bellingham and have made him their number one midfield target for 2023.

Madrid are in the process of renewing their legendary midfield, with Casemiro joining Man Utd this past summer and both Luka Modric and Toni Kroos seeing their contracts expire at the end of the season.

Bellingham is seen as the perfect player to complement Aurelien Tchouameni, who was signed for €100 million from Monaco this year.

The Englishman is one of the hottest properties in football right now, with a host of major clubs all interested in signing him.

What clubs are interested in signing Bellingham?

Until recently, Liverpool had been considered favourites, but there is strong interest elsewhere.

As well as Real Madrid, Chelsea, Man Utd, Man City and PSG all are reported to want to sign him.

Bellingham was one of the young stars of the 2022 World Cup, scoring one, assisting one and being arguably England’s best player as they reached the quarter-finals.

Dortmund are expected to sell their star man next summer, having decided against losing him in 2022 during the same window that they lost Erling Haaland to Man City for €60m.

It is expected that Bellingham will cost over €100m for whichever club does sign him, with some reports quoting his asking price as high as €150m.