Gabby Agbonlahor believes Jude Bellingham should join Liverpool or Manchester City first, then Real Madrid. But the Borussia Dortmund ace is unlikely to reject a Galacticos transfer.
Bellingham will have his pick of suitors if or when the 19-year-old elects to leave BVB after a sensational rise. The midfielder moved to the Bundesliga from Birmingham City for £25m in 2020. Now, he is one of England’s most important players and a vice-captain at his club.
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From the day he joined Borussia Dortmund, Bellingham has held an influential role in their engine room. But Gareth Southgate also trusted the teenager with locking down England’s core in Qatar. He took to the World Cup like a kickabout in the park over their five fixtures.
Liverpool are optimistic over Bellingham’s transfer from Borussia Dortmund
Liverpool are enamoured with the ability Bellingham has and the potential of the Borussia Dortmund star. Dean Jones also claims the Reds are optimistic they can beat Manchester City to his transfer. Anfield chiefs sense they just need to tell him why should favour them.
But Agbonlahor sees Real Madrid as a real threat in any transfer tussle over Bellingham for Liverpool and Manchester City. Yet the Aston Villa hero believes the midfielder should pick one of the Premier League rivals first. Then, after a few years, he can try his skill in La Liga.
“If I’m Bellingham, would you not rather try the Premier League?” he told talkSPORT. “He’s still 19 and then he’ll go to Real Madrid afterwards. That’s what I think [Erling] Haaland will be looking to do. Have a taste of the Premier League, stay three or four years.
“Nowadays, agents can negotiate contracts where they can put in release clauses where clubs will allow you to leave for not a silly amount.
“So, if I was him, I’d probably choose Manchester City or Liverpool, do four years there, and then at 23, 24, you go to Real Madrid. But who’s going to turn down Real Madrid, you know? No one is, and I think he’d fit perfectly in that midfield.”
Whoever wants to sign Bellingham faces paying a mammoth transfer fee
Whoever wants to sign Bellingham faces paying Borussia Dortmund a mammoth transfer fee. Gianluca Di Marzio has told Soccer News that BVB value the wonderkid at €100-130m (£88-114m). But he also adds that Anfield is likely a dream destination for the midfielder.
If Liverpool were to spend sums in that region for Bellingham, they would not want to see him then target a transfer to Real Madrid in a couple of years’ time. So, if he does have his eye on a switch to La Liga, the Reds will have to lock him down with a very long contract.
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