Real Madrid linked with summer move for Liverpool star

Stuart Telford

• 26 Feb 2023 07:35 CST
• 3 min read

Real Madrid are locked in a battle with Liverpool for Jude Bellingham, but they have a Plan B based at Anfield already should the England midfielder join the Reds from Borussia Dortmund next summer.

The race for Bellingham's signature is widely considered to be a three-horse one between Madrid, Liverpool and Manchester City, but the Reds reportedly have an advantage.

Bellingham rates Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp highly, and they have a pronounced need for midfield enforcements that the others don't. His father Mark - a non-league goalscorer of quite some aplomb - was also in talks with the club this winter.

READ: Liverpool's 'key' to unlocking €150m Bellingham transfer

Real don't often miss out on their transfer targets, and they have already bolted down Fran Garcia for next summer with Brazilian prodigy Endrick following in 2024, but they are reportedly braced for Bellingham going to Liverpool.

And that could throw up another opportunity, according to Fichajes.

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 3, 2019

Fabinho on the move?

"The reality is that selling Fabinho could become necessary if Liverpool pull of a coup and sign Jude Bellingham," report the Spanish transfer outlet. "Real are aware of these moving parts and could become his next destination.

"The Brazilian has been linked with them many times and their interest has returned. Liverpool would want up to €70 million for a player who has been important for Jurgen Klopp."

READ: How will Liverpool line up next season?

Fabinho was previously on Real Madrid's books between 2012 and 2015, but spent the majority of his time there with the Castilla reserve team before making his name at Monaco, initially on loan.

Now valued at €69.1m by FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm, Liverpool's reported asking price is realistic, but whether Real would be up for paying so much for a 29-year-old remains to be seen.

They spent €100m on Aurelien Tchouameni - a player in the same position - last summer, but the Frenchman was 22 at the time and only turned 23 in January.

Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are 37 and 32 respectively, though, and if they conclude their Madrid careers at the same time Real miss out on Bellingham, the Spanish giant's hand could be forced.