Real Madrid have reportedly made their first offer to sign Jude Bellingham, with the Spanish giants making a bid worth €140m (£123m) for the rumoured Liverpool target.
According to AS, Madrid have begun their final steps to sign the 19-year-old, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side keen to bring in the central midfielder as a long-term replacement for the likes of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, who both look set to leave Madrid at the end of this season.
Whilst Liverpool are viewed as favourites for the England international and have the money to match Borussia Dortmund’s £130m asking price, the structure of this offer from Madrid could realistically see Los Blancos win the race to sign Bellingham this summer.
As per the report, Madrid have offered €100m (£88m) up-front with €40m (£35m) in add-ons, a club-record deal for the Spanish giants, with this deal something that Dortmund could accept given how enticing such an offer would be for both the club and for Bellingham.
Indeed, Liverpool have seemingly lost some serious ground in the race to sign Bellingham, with the Merseyside club more focussed on their issues in the Premier League following another defeat in the division last weekend, this time to relegation candidates AFC Bournemouth.
And for Madrid, they have used this opportunity to their full advantage, with an offer now on the table for Bellingham that could easily be accepted by Dortmund, who might not be willing to wait around for Liverpool to make a bid of their own for the 19-year-old.
Madrid now clear favourites to sign Bellingham amid £123m offer
Madrid always seemed to pose Liverpool the biggest threat when it comes to Bellingham, with the midfielder keen on a move to the reigning European champions amid Jurgen Klopp’s side enduring their worst season to date under the German’s tenure on Anfield.
And following this update of a club-record bid from Madrid, Bellingham could be one big step closer to signing for the Spanish giants, who have seemingly found a deal structure that could help them land the Dortmund superstar ahead of the summer transfer window.
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