Real Madrid Closes In On Jude Bellingham To Rival Its Most Expensive Signing

European champion Real Madrid is moving closer towards signing 19-year-old midfielder Jude Bellingham on a six-year deal that could eventually surpass what it paid for club record addition Eden Hazard, whom it recruited in 2019.

Spanish outlet Marca reports the Bellingham transfer is soon to happen, with negotiations with his current team Borussia Dortmund presently locked between the €100 million ($111 million) and €120 million ($133 million) price marks (Spanish), and the German side preferring a package totaling around €140 million ($155 million), as per Bild. Meanwhile, Diario AS says there is still some work to do.

Upon completing the move, Bellingham would almost certainly smash the transfer record for an English player—currently held by Manchester City star Jack Grealish, who joined the Premier League titleholder from Aston Villa for €114 million ($126 million) two seasons ago.

Previously, Los Blancos signed Hazard for approximately €100 million ($111 million), making him the team’s most expensive acquisition upfront. Throughout his stay, the winger has reportedly cost the La Liga side nearer €150 million ($166 million), including performance-related add-ons. However, such a bumper amount remains doubtful due to his disappointing stint at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.

In securing Bellingham, Real will have fended off competition from other big names in European soccer. Liverpool, for one, had been in for the player but decided to pull out. Having dropped off the pace competitively, it’s now seeking multiple players in the same position to compete with the best teams again. Another boost to Real has been Juni Calafat, a chief scout who has helped Real seal sought-after names before.

While the club has traditionally signed galácticos and remains an undoubted power in the transfer market, adding Bellingham to the squad would represent a sweet victory for Real. Its president Florentino Pérez and the board have been frustrated in recent transfer windows, most notably after target Kylian Mbappé decided to stay put at Paris Saint-Germain in France’s Ligue 1 last year, following interest from the Spanish giant.

Assuming its Bellingham pursuit reaches a successful conclusion, Real will have a formidable midfield in the coming seasons, with Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Federico Valverde and Dani Ceballos backing up the senior players: Luka Modric and Toni Kroos in the center. It also poses another question—whether Real sells one or two from its impressive pack to balance the books slightly.

All in all, Bellingham makes for good business. Real has not spent extravagantly on talents in the last two windows and will see the Englishman as a calculated risk—given his standard at such a young age. He also serves as a warning for Barcelona, champion-elect in La Liga and preparing to stave off competition from its fiercest rival by compiling an equally capable squad for next season.

On the other hand, not all gambles work out perfectly, and Bellingham will have to earn his stripes in Madrid rather than rely on his impressive reputation. Needing to meet sky-high expectations, it will be a massive step up, and he still has a lot to prove to cement his high standing in the game.