Bellingham's Real Madrid transfer to happen sooner than expected

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 23 May 2023 09:00 CDT
• 4 min read

Real Madrid could bolt Borussia Dortmund and England midfielder Jude Bellingham down in January according to reports in Spain.

Bellingham has been attracting interest from across European football, with Manchester City and Liverpool also in the running for the 19-year-old, who has already led Dortmund out as captain in the Champions League.

Erling Haaland has been in his former teammate's ear about joining him at Man City, while Liverpool have promised him a key role in their midfield, with Bellingham to be given Steven Gerrard-esque responsibility for the next decade, but Real are determined to win this race.

READ: 'Don't be silly, man!' - Bellingham savagely snubs Man Utd move

Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has publicly admitted that he would allow Bellingham to leave "if the really big clubs are involved," although he is understood to be holding out for a fee in excess of €100 million.

"Real Madrid know that the competition to sign the Englishman is going to be tough and complicated, which is why they are already making moves in the player's inner circle," report Spanish outlet Marca.

Real puling strings

"Real have been sounding out Bellingham for the past year. The club's directors were sincere and asked the Englishman to wait, not to renew his contract with Borussia Dortmund, and he has complied."

READ: Is Endrick really worth €72m and no Erling Haaland?!

Real have a track record of agreeing deals ahead of time, and this winter announced the €72m acquisition of Brazilian wonderkid Endrick from Palmeiras, who will only join in the summer of 2024 once he turns 18.

Madrid won three consecutive Champions Leagues with a midfield three of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro. Modric and Kroos are 37 and 32 respectively now, while Casemiro, 30, has been sold to Manchester United.

Los Blancos have already spent €140m on their midfield of the future with Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni arriving in consecutive summers, and Bellingham would complete the set.