'First contact': Real Madrid aim to beat Liverpool by making Bellingham approach

Suraj Radia

• Updated: 14 Mar 2023 06:58 GMT
• 3 min read

Real Madrid have begun formal proceedings to sign Jude Bellingham this summer as they look to beat Liverpool to the signing of their top transfer target.

Bellingham is expected to leave Dortmund and Real see the 19-year-old as a key player to continue the club’s transition in midfield by partnering current Bernabeu stars Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga.

Spanish outlet AS reports that Real’s chiefs will give the go-ahead to sign Bellingham and an emissary recently travelled to Germany to meet with the midfielder and his family.

WARNING: Liverpool 'in danger' of losing Bellingham to Real

The meeting is a formality Real often do with potential transfer targets, having given the same treatment to the likes of Tchouameni, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, with the goal of getting to know the player and selling them on the vision of the club, as well as clearing up any doubts that may exist.

Real accept they will have to ‘bid hard’ to beat Liverpool to Bellingham, with an offer of €140 million, €100m of which would be up front, expected to be submitted by the Spanish side.

Although reports in Germany have claimed that Liverpool are the favourites to sign Bellingham, Real are optimistic in their chase, with the England international having yet to make a final decision except to leave Dortmund.

Bellingham arrival could signal the end for Real legends

Real have stepped up their chase for Bellingham as they anticipate the potential departures of veteran midfielders Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.

Both players are out of contract in the summer and, while Modric is open to an extension, there is a belief that Kroos is unlikely to stay for a further year, especially if Bellingham signs.

BUMPER DEAL: Modric offered lucrative contract to leave Real Madrid

Kroos has seen his minutes diminish this season and he would only be pushed further down the pecking order upon Bellingham’s arrival, meaning the 33-year-old could opt to leave in the summer.

Modric, meanwhile, has received a huge offer from Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia and has stated that he will assess his fitness and future at the end of the season.