Real Madrid have reached an agreement with Borussia Dortmund to sign Jude Bellingham.
Real Madrid are set to pay Dortmund in excess of €100m (£86m; $107m) in what would be one of the highest value transfers in both clubs’ history.
The deal has not yet been signed but this is among the formalities that will follow. Bellingham, 19, is expected to undergo a medical in the coming days.
Dortmund later confirmed the news of the agreement on Wednesday afternoon. The club’s statement read: “With the realization of this transfer, Real Madrid will pay BVB a fixed transfer fee of €103.0 million.
In addition, it has been agreed that variable transfer fees will be paid up to a maximum aggregate amount of approximately 30 percent of the fixed transfer fee amount. This variable transfer fee depends on the achievement of certain Real Madrid sporting successes and/or sporting successes or the player’s performance at Real Madrid in the next six seasons’ period.
the athlete It was reported over the weekend that Real Madrid consider their pursuit of Bellingham to be on the right track, with the La Liga side in negotiations with Dortmund.
Meanwhile, Manchester City and other potential candidates for Bellingham thought Madrid was the preferred destination for the Englishman.
City’s desire to recruit Bellingham from Dortmund has been well documented, as they look to bolster their midfield ahead of next season.
But, while they had a tangible interest in the player, City did not make offers or provide financial figures to Dortmund or Bellingham in terms of transfer fees or salary.
In April, Liverpool dropped out of the running for Bellingham after deeming their expected asking price and overall financial package to be too high.
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Bellingham has grown into one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe with some of the continent’s biggest teams known to have previously been eyeing his status at Dortmund.
The Birmingham City academy graduate rose through the ranks at the Championship club before joining Dortmund in the summer of 2020.
He continued to establish himself as a key player in the Bundesliga team, often captaining it, as well as being a key player in Gareth Southgate’s English team.
Bellingham is set to arrive at the Santiago Bernabeu, joining a group of young midfield talent that Real Madrid have amassed in recent years.
Eduardo Camavinga was signed from Rennes in the summer of 2020 while fellow French international Aurelien Chouamini arrived from Monaco last summer.
the athlete It was revealed in April that veterans Luka Modric and Toni Kroos were expected to sign contract extensions with Real Madrid. Federico Valverde, who played up front but sees his future in midfield, is another key player for coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Ancelotti also told the club hierarchy that he wanted Tottenham Hotspur striker and Bellingham’s England colleague Harry Kane at the club amid Karim Benzema’s departure to the Saudi Federation.
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Mark Curry has analyzed in detail here where Jude Bellingham could fit in at Real Madrid and how he compares to other midfielders across Europe… Here is part of that analysis…
Bellingham should be able to adapt to Real Madrid’s tactical style without much difficulty, having shown that he is comfortable in a 4-3-3 system with clear strengths in counter-attacking play. Indeed, the form shows that Real Madrid are leading the way in terms of Tactical fitness when compared to some of the top clubs in Europe.
His versatility to play anywhere in midfield would be a huge asset, but there is no doubt Bellingham would be a long-term midfield replacement for Luka Modric or Toni Kroos – both at the end of their playing careers.
“One thing is clear, Bellingham has earned the right to join Real Madrid. He is the talent of a generation who joined the most decorated football club in the world. He must be perfect.”
Why Bellingham was the best young player in the Bundesliga
Analysis by Raphael Honigstein
While Bellingham was forced to end the tragic outcome of Dortmund’s season with a knee injury in late May, Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala came on as a substitute to score the historic 89th-minute winning goal in Cologne. But all season long, there was no question which of the league’s two most exciting youth duos played with more maturity and consistency.
Bellingham was at times like a one-man squad in Dortmund’s midfield, everywhere at once. He tackled like a ‘6’, ran like a ‘8’, played assists (five in total) like a ’10’ and scored (eight) goals like a winger wearing number ‘7’.
Moreover, his intensity and winning demeanor had the effect of waking the team up from their slumber. Sometimes he would overdo it, sticking his nose out with his body language, but it’s impossible to think of another teenager who has pulled such a punch consistently all season and indeed throughout his three years at the club.
(Photo: Lars Baron/Getty Images)
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