Jude Bellingham's global reputation has grown exponentially over the past two seasons. Photo: Getty Images/Joachim Bywaletz
Real Madrid are in early talks to sign Jude Bellingham, which will be a blow to Manchester City.
Days before the two clubs meet in the Champions League semi-finals, Real Madrid stole what seemed to be a decisive advantage over their rivals in the opening match on Tuesday in Spain.
Negotiations for Bellingham's signing from Borussia Dortmund are progressing positively and should continue next week.
City have not given up hope of signing the England international — not least because a fee has yet to be agreed — but they are increasingly resigned to the fact that he appears to have chosen Real Madrid as his preferred destination. However, they will remain in the race until otherwise advised, with a final decision expected within the next two weeks.
The full financial package has yet to be settled for the 19-year-old, but he is growing. optimism in Madrid that a deal could be struck.
Real are still hopeful that Bellingham's apparent desire to join them will help negotiate a lower price, with a fee of between €100m and €120m (£88m–£105m) under discussion. However, they have previously indicated that with significant additions, including winning the Champions League and the Golden Ball, they will pay up to 150 million euros.
Dortmund have informed the clubs that they expect to receive a minimum of 140 million euros for Bellingham and are not experiencing financial pressure to sell, but would take the step if he wanted to leave. They even offered him a new contract.
There is no doubt that Bellingham, who turns 20 next month, will receive the highest fee ever paid to an English player, beating the £100m City have pledged to sign Aston Villa's Jack Grealish.
La Liga could be the destination for England international Jude Bellingham. Photo: Getty Images/Ryan Pierse
Given the severe strain on Real Madrid's finances, there will be huge skepticism as to how they can afford a deal of this magnitude, but they believe they are close to laying the groundwork.
Manchester United have also been constantly asked to report about Bellingham's intentions, but have always been outsiders in the bidding.
Liverpool withdrew interest after deciding they could not afford to sign the midfielder, while Chelsea also wanted him but were unable to advance negotiations.< /p>The next generation of Madrid
Madrid actively courted Bellingham, and negotiations have been going on for several months. They consider him the most exciting young player in Europe and one who will shape their midfield in the next decade, along with Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Chuameni. They also have Federico Valverde.
The quartet are seen as long-term successors to Luka Modric, 37, and Toni Kroos, 33, who signed a one-year contract extension, and Casemiro. , who left last year for United.
Real Madrid chief scout Juni Calafat, who also brought in Spanish giants Vinicius Jr., Rodrigo and Eder Militao, is credited as the driving force behind the club's move to a younger side.
Madrid could pair Bellingham with another special young talent, Eduardo Camavinga. Photo: Getty Images/Jose Manuel Alvarez
Calafat, who has been in talks with Real Madrid CEO José Ángel Sanchez, has also signed 16-year-old Brazilian Andrik. Bellingham's future is being discussed by his father, Mark, who passed his FIFA agent exam last week rather than through a more reputable agency.
After losing to City last year in a battle for Erling Haaland, also from Dortmund, and » Paris Saint-Germain convinced Kylian Mbappé to stay and Real Madrid came under pressure to make a big deal.
Bellingham certainly fits the bill and has only further cemented his reputation with outstanding performances for England at the World Cup in Qatar. Bellingham is central to Real Madrid's plans and they made that clear in their presentation.
City have big plans for Bellingham and were ready to go all out to sign him this summer. There is room to be made in their midfield as Ilkay Gundogan's contract has ended and Bernardo Silva has previously stated he would like to leave. The role of Calvin Phillips raises questions as he has barely featured this season.
Bellingham's big payoff for City was not only to re-team with Haaland, but also to work with a manager like Pep Guardiola. who has such an incredible track record of improving players. It was also believed that the Stourbridge native Bellingham, who started his career at Birmingham City, wanted to return to England.
The fact that Real Madrid beat City after signing Bellingham added spice to their meeting in the Champions League. City are looking to avenge last season's dramatic semi-final exit against Real Madrid, keeping them on track for the treble.
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