Why Real Madrid believe Liverpool are favourites for Bellingham

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:55 CDT
• 4 min read

There is a long way left to run in the Jude Bellingham transfer sage, but Real Madrid believe that Liverpool are the favourites to sign the Borussia Dortmund midfielder, according to a report from Spain.

Los Blancos have been considered to be the long-time leaders in the race for the 19-year-old.

The European champions have been working to gradually renovate their side, and in particular the midfield. Eduardo Camavinga was signed from Rennes in 2021 and was followed by the arrival of Aurelien Tchouameni from Monaco 12 months later for a fee that could rise to €100 million.

MORE: Bellingham, Osimhen, Musiala... who will be football's next €100m star?

Bellingham is seen as the final piece of the jigsaw in Spain.

Competition for the former Birmingham City player is fierce, though. Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United are all thought to be interested in the player, who has not made a commitment to one club or another.

Dortmund, meanwhile, have not given up on re-signing the player to fresh terms, although that appears a long shot. Instead, they are seeking a transfer fee in the region of €150 million for a player that FootballTransfers values at €88m.

According to Marca, Real Madrid now feel Liverpool are in the strongest position to snatch the England star.

MORE: Why Jude Bellingham sees himself at Real Madrid

Real Madrid won’t pay crazy money for Bellingham

In part, this is due to the huge asking price of Dortmund. It is stated that Los Blancos will “not to crazy things that could compromise the economic stability of the club” – and they feel that such a price is far from their reach at present.

As such, the prospects of a transfer for Bellingham being completed are described as “complicated”, with a transfer fee above the normal expected to be enough to put the Spanish club at a disadvantage. It is stressed, however, that they are not about to give up the chase.

Liverpool, meanwhile, do not have a great history of spending lavish sums, although their summer acquisition of Darwin Nunez from Benfica suggests that could change.

ESPN, though, reports that the Reds have forged a close relationship with the player, which could prove decisive.

Manchester City, meanwhile, are the side best placed to spend big on Bellingham, particularly as they have his old Dortmund team-mate Erling Haaland to call upon for leverage.