The SECRET behind Real Madrid's incredible recent transfer business
Cameron Smith
- 15 Oct 2023 20:00 BST
- 4 min read
Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior has revealed that he played a key role in Jude Bellingham’s move to the club.
Bellingham, 20, was courted by every elite side in Europe, but Real Madrid won the race for his signature amid heavy competition from Manchester City and Liverpool.
Pep Guardiola even spent three hours on the phone trying to convince Bellingham to move to the Etihad Stadium, according to reports, but the England international opted for a move to Los Blancos.
READ MORE: Bellingham was right to turn us down, claims Man Utd legend
Liverpool had also identified Bellingham as their number one transfer target, but had to settle for signing Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo instead.
Bellingham has hit the ground running in Spain, with 10 goals and three assists in just 10 appearances for his new club, and Vinicius Jr has admitted he played a role in convincing the England international to choose Real Madrid.
In an interview with L’Equipe, Vini Jr revealed his secret role in Los Blancos’ recent transfer business.
“I didn’t know Bellingham but I knew that other teams wanted him so I texted him,” the Brazil international said.
“I did the same with [Eduardo] Camavinga, texting him for months and telling him that Real Madrid is the best club in the world.
“Juni Calafat [Real Madrid’s chief scout] knows that if I can help him, I will.”
Not only is Vini Jr performing on the pitch - he has 54 goals and 41 assists over the past two seasons - but he has also played a key role in Los Blancos’ recent success in the transfer market.
Bellingham has ‘conquered La Liga’
Barcelona defender Andreas Christensen was asked about Bellingham while on international duty with Denmark and admitted his impact has been huge at the Santiago Bernabeu.
He told Danish television channel TV2 Sport, via AS: "It’s annoying when you sit back and look at the results he’s getting.
“Then he has been scoring in the last few games, I don’t know how many games already. He has conquered the league. Real Madrid has brought in a really good player.”
