Real Madrid's Tchouameni tactic to sign Bellingham

Stuart Telford

• 28 Apr 2023 22:00 BST
• 3 min read

Real Madrid have employed the same tactics they used to sign Aurelien Tchouameni last summer to win the race for Jude Bellingham's signature, according to reports in Spain.

Madrid-based newspaper Diario AS this week claimed that Bellingham has decided to accept Real Madrid's offer ahead of either of the Manchester clubs and Liverpool, and now their rivals Marca have put forward the reasons as to why.

Borussia Dortmund are expected to demand around €120 million for their nascent England international, who has become one of the first names on Gareth Southgate's teamsheet over the last year.

READ: Bellingham has FINALLY chosen his future club

Whilst Real will be stretching their upper limit to fund such a deal as the same time as revamping their Santiago Bernabeu home, the financials of the deal aren't key - timing, and status, are.

The right timing and the sentimental factor

"A year ago, Real Madrid moved quickly and at the right time to get the 'yes' from Aurelien Tchouameni when the Frenchman was looking to the Premier League," they write - Madrid are set to meet with Bellingham's entourage in Germany in the coming days.

"There is also the sentimental factor and that they want to pose the young Englishman as the face of La Liga, in reference to the Premier League - a league that he has never played in despite his nationality."

READ: Liverpool shortlist €100m Real Madrid star

Paradoxically, Bellingham's arrival at the Bernabeu could also lead to Tchouameni's exit. With Luka Modric set to join Toni Kroos in signing a new one-year extension, competition for places in midfield will be fierce.

Spanish transfer outlet Fichajes suggest that Tchouameni could be set to make way, one short season after his own €100m arrival from Monaco.

"His recent drop in performance at Real Madrid has sparked rumours of a departure during the next transfer window," they write. "As long as a good enough offer arrives - which would have to be from the Premier League."