Real Madrid v Man City: Liverpool OUT of Bellingham race

Tom Weber

• 20 Mar 2023 10:39 GMT
• 3 min read

Liverpool were among the favourites to sign Jude Bellingham this summer, but recent reports have dealt a major blow to the Red's aspirations.

Borussia Dortmund and England star Jude Bellingham is arguably the hottest commodity in world football at the moment. Accordingly, a real race to sign the young midfielder this summer has developed in recent months.

For a long time, Liverpool were believed to be the firm favourites as the club have a good relationship with the Bellingham family as well as Jürgen Klopp being a huge admirer of the 19-year-old.

READ: When does the contract of every Liverpool player expire?

Now, however, a new twist has appeared in the tale. As The Athletic's David Ornstein reports, Liverpool's prospects of being able to bring the youngster to Anfield look "increasingly unlikely."

— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) March 20, 2023

Bellingham has two years left on his contract, so the outsized financial package that would be attached to any potential deal has seen Liverpool's hopes of signing him diminish, with other clubs overtaking the Reds in the race to acquire the Englishmen due to their better economic position.

Real Madrid versus Man City?

The clubs in question are, according to Ornstein, Real Madrid and Manchester City.

Real Madrid are set to continue their Galactico policy in the summer, and should they miss out on Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham could be seen as an ideal alternative.

READ: Five Galacticos Real Madrid could sign this summer

With both Toni Kroos and Luka Modric not getting any younger, Los Blancos have already signed the likes of Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni to ease the transition away from the two elder statesmen. 19-year-old Bellingham would bring yet more youthful exuberance and quality to Carlo Ancelotti's midfield.

A signing of Bellingham's stature would furthermore assuage Madrid fans after missing out on the LaLiga title.

Similar things can be said for Man City as both Kevin de Bruyne and Ilkay Gündogan are now on the wrong side of 30, and a younger partner for Rodri could well be desired by Pep Guardiola.