30 March 2023 , 08:34
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Real Madrid want to sign Jude Bellingham this summer but will not be drawn into a bidding war after Manchester United were urged to enter the race for the England international.
Madrid have emerged as the frontrunner for the signature of the Borussia Dortmund ace and the Spanish giants went so far as to hold a transfer meeting with Bellingham’s father Mark in London ahead of Dortmund’s Champions League clash at Chelsea earlier this month.
Juni Calafat, director of international football for the European champions, met the player’s father at the Chelsea Harbour hotel to discuss the club’s position. Yet the race for Bellingham remains wide open and his future beyond this summer is uncertain.
Liverpool have been credited with an interest on a number of occasions with Jurgen Klopp a huge admirer. The Reds boss previously said of Bellingham, in a cheeky way to praise the midfielder: “He’s not on the market, so that’s the first problem with that player. Well, the only problem with that player!”
Reports this week indicated that Madrid are reluctant to spend big in this summer transfer window and while a fresh report in Marca outlines that Bellingham is their priority transfer target, there is no appetite to compromise an approach of sustainable spending and concluding deals early. If this is not possible with the player, they will not linger on a deal.
Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash
Former Manchester United star Gary Pallister this week urged the club’s boss Erik ten Hag to push for a move for the teenage star this summer. “I think every club's sort of letting it be known that they'd love to have him at their club,” he said.
Bellingham is in high demand this summer and looks set to leave Dortmund (Clive Rose/Getty Images)Have Your Say! Which club should Bellingham join this summer? Tell us what you think here.
“So the thing is, Manchester United is under a bit of a cloud at the moment because we're not sure what's going to happen with the bids for the club, or who's going to be in charge come the next transfer window. So that's a bit of a grey area.”
Old Trafford chiefs are believed to be huge admirers of Bellingham and they want to add a central midfielder to their squad this summer, following on from the arrivals of Christian Eriksen and Casemiro this season. Marcel Sabitzer’s loan deal from Bayern Munich expires this summer – with the Austrian international’s future uncertain.
However, United’s transfer budget will be focused on signing a world class striker – the position which is their clear priority this summer. Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and England captain Harry Kane are among those on their shortlist.