In-demand Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham is reportedly pining for a move to Real Madrid in 2023.
The 19-year-old is expected to be at the centre of an intense transfer tussle next year, with Dortmund seemingly facing a losing battle to retain his services.
Bellingham is thought to be on the radar of numerous top clubs, with Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City among them.
Liverpool have long been considered one of the frontrunners to sign the England international, and a recent report claimed that the Reds were hopeful of wrapping up a deal as early as January.
However, Real Madrid are also at the head of the queue for Bellingham's signature, and Sport claims that the midfielder has his heart set on a switch to the Bernabeu.
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While Los Blancos have therefore been handed an advantage in the race for Bellingham, whether the club would bow to Dortmund's wage demands is another question entirely.
With Bellingham under contract at the Westfalenstadion until the summer of 2025, Edin Terzic's side are under no pressure to sell for a cut-price fee and could demand up to €150m (£130.5m) to sanction a sale.
The report adds that Real Madrid are not prepared to match Dortmund's price tag, although Liverpool are supposedly optimistic about doing business closer to the €100m (£87m) mark.
It is believed that the Reds have spent time forging a strong relationship with Bellingham's entourage, but the player himself holds a strong desire to represent the Spanish champions.
Dortmund have apparently not given up hope of keeping Bellingham beyond the summer of 2023, but CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has conceded that a mammoth bid from a top European club would be too difficult to pass up.
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"I think as soon as Qatar is over (hold talks). We will have a general discussion about what he actually wants. With him, with his parents, with whom we have a very close relationship. And of course with his advisor," Watzke recently told Bild.
"And then he should just tell us whether he wants to stay or whether he wants to leave. In both cases, we will have a very pleasant and reasonable discussion with each other.
"But we don't have to pretend that the issue is not on the table. If the really big clubs are involved, then we can't afford to have a fight financially."
Bellingham has enjoyed another fine campaign in Dortmund colours with nine goals and three assists from 22 matches, taking his total to 19 strikes and 21 assists in 112 appearances for the Black and Yellows since joining from Birmingham City in 2020.
The teenager is currently preparing for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and will hope to start for England when they meet Iran in their opening Group B match on Monday lunchtime.
Ben Knapton
