Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham (Credits: Twitter)

Real Madrid are closing in on the signing of Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham. The England midfielder has been the most sought-after player on the market ahead of the summer transfer season, but Los Blancos appear to have gotten ahead of their competitors, with a deal to him Bellingham to La Liga apparently nearing completion.

Jude Bellingham has thrived since leaving Birmingham City and choosing for a move to the Bundesliga at the age of 17. Dortmund stands to make a huge profit – they paid £25 million to sign Bellingham – that may be worth more than £100 million when they cash in. Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that the England starlet’s signing won’t affect the extensions of Madrid veterans Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.

Jude Bellingham
Real Madrid’s move for Jude Bellingham won’t undergo a change of plans amidst the extensions of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. Credits: Twitter

Romano claims Real’s stance on Kroos, Modric ‘not gonna change’ Jude Bellingham deal

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, new deals for Toni Kroos and Luka Modric will have little impact on Real Madrid’s pursuit of Jude Bellingham. Both veterans plan to extend their stay at the Bernabeu after spending trophy-laden years there. Real Madrid have been able to rejuvenate their squad impressively after their Champions League hat-trick, which began in 2016 and ended in 2018.

Many of the old guards have either retired or are being phased out, with the next generation of stars now regularly appearing at the Bernabeu. Veteran stars such as Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Karim Benzema remain, but the development of the next generation was critical to their European success last season, culminating in a victory over Liverpool in Paris.

However, Real intend to reward their experienced midfield duo with new deals despite their imminent Jude Bellingham acquisition. The Italian journalist tweeted:

“Luka Modrić and Toni Kroos contract extensions are not gonna change Real Madrid plans on Jude Bellingham deal. Bellingham has agreed personal terms with Madrid; waiting on Real and BVB to agree on the fee. Jude, considered crucial target for present and future.”

The Croatian’s contract expires this summer, and despite conversations, no extension has been inked, unlike Toni Kroos, who has already extended his stay. Modric is said to have a substantial offer from Saudi Arabia, but as Romano reports recent developments, the 2014 World Cup runner up with Croatia could find himself in Madrid until the end of the 23/24 season.

Meanwhile, there were concerns that Real Madrid would be outgunned by Manchester City, who were also interested in Jude Bellingham, with Pep Guardiola professing his desire to work with the teenaged sensation. The Premier League champions worked with Dortmund last summer to sign Erling Haaland and maintain a solid relationship with the German club.

Liverpool were another possible destination, and their failure to recruit a midfielder last summer was interpreted as a sign that they were saving themselves and their money for Bellingham. However, in the end, it is Real Madrid who have deployed their charm once again, along with financial flexes to seal the signing of another star of the present as well as the future.