Real Madrid’s plan to replace Modric with Bellingham in 2023
Although he is still only 18 years of age, Jude Bellingham has already demonstrated that he has what it takes to perform at the very top level of European football. Signed by Borussia Dortmund in 2020 for €25m, his value has only increased since then and he will earn the Bundesliga side a huge profit whenever he leaves Signal Iduna Park.
Bellingham is expected to stay with Borussia Dortmund through the 2022 summer transfer window, but that fits perfectly with Real Madrid’s timeline, as the Spanish club have identified the English teenager as a potential replacement for Luka Modric.
🚨| Real Madrid see Jude Bellingham as the future ‘complete’ midfielder. @diarioas
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) May 13, 2022
It hasn’t been officially announced yet, but Modric is expected to sign a one-year contract extension to remain at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu for the 2022/23 season. The Croatian is then expected to retire in the summer of 2023, after leading Croatia to another World Cup and after another season fighting for silverware in the Spanish capital.
According to Defensa Central, Real Madrid believe Bellingham possesses the qualities to replace Modric and the club’s directors have been closely monitoring him ever since his move to Borussia Dortmund.
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Real Madrid’s excellent relationship with Borussia Dortmund
Real Madrid know that Bellingham will cost a huge transfer fee, but they expect to have the necessary funds by the summer of 2023. The hardest part of any move for the midfielder will be convincing Borussia Dortmund to sell, since he is still such a young player and since he has a contract until 2025.
From Real Madrid’s point of view, they hope their excellent relationship with Borussia Dortmund will help them beat out other potential suitors, such as Manchester United and Liverpool. Even with Michael Zorc leaving Borussia Dortmund, there are still several other directors who have been involved in negotiations with the Spanish side in the past.
