Real Madrid are reportedly confident that they will win the race for the signature of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham.
The 19-year-old is set to become one of the most sought-after players in Europe when the transfer window reopens in the New Year after starring for both club and country over the last few seasons.
Bellingham arrived in Germany from boyhood club Birmingham City in 2020 and he has since elevated his game to new heights, recording 19 goals and 21 assists in 112 appearances across all competitions.
The teenager was also a standout performer for England at the 2022 World Cup and scored his first senior goal in the 6-2 group-stage victory over Iran.
Bellingham is under contract at BVB until the summer of 2025, but the German club are bracing themselves for offers as a host of elite clubs including the likes of Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are all interested in his services.
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PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi recently confirmed that the Ligue 1 champions are keen to sign Bellingham, telling Sky Sports News: "Everybody wants him, I'm not going to hide it. He's at his club, and [we have] respect, so if we want to talk to him we'll talk to the club first.
"Amazing player, what a player. England [are] lucky to have him, to be honest. He's one of the best players in the [World Cup]. [It's] amazing, his first World Cup, he's calm and relaxed, confident – amazing."
Meanwhile, a recent report claimed that Liverpool were growing increasingly confident of winning the race to sign Bellingham, although a separate report has since stated that the Reds are now unlikely to pursue a move for the midfielder in January due to his hefty £130m asking price.
Premier League holders Man City will allegedly step up their interest in Bellingham if they believe they have a genuine chance of luring the midfielder to the Etihad Stadium, while rivals Man United are understood to have reignited their interest in the teenager.
However, The Sun claims that Real Madrid are confident Bellingham will snub a move to the Premier League and complete a £100m-plus deal to join the current Champions League and La Liga holders.
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The report adds that Los Blancos and manager Carlo Ancelotti believes that the prospect of developing into a Santiago Bernabeu icon will be enough to persuade Bellingham to move to the Spanish capital.
Real Madrid are expected to delve into the transfer market for at least one high-profile midfielder in the New Year, with 37-year-old Luka Modric and 32-year-old Toni Kroos out of contract at the end of the season.
Bellingham is believed to be high of Real's list of targets, while Benfica youngster Enzo Fernandez is also said to be on their radar.
The 21-year-old was named Young Player of the Tournament at the 2022 World Cup after impressing for champion Argentina in Qatar, although the midfielder would allegedly allegedly prefer to join Liverpool if he decided to leave Benfica.
Oliver Thomas
