The Reds desperately need to refresh their midfield, which is ageing and can no longer implement the energy and intensity it once did, while the likes of James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain look set to depart on free transfers this summer. The Reds had been another potential destination and their decision to not add a midfielder last summer was seen as a sign that they were saving themselves and their cash for Bellingham. However, unless something major changes, an Etihad reunion with Haaland is not on the cards. Barcelona would like to sign both.Ĭity will need to eventually bring some youth to their midfield outside of Phil Foden and Cole Palmer, and Bellingham would have not only added huge quality, but also helped with their homegrown quota. The German's contract is winding down whilst the Portuguese playmaker has previously eyed an exit. Pep Guardiola's midfield has remained settled for several years with Rodri at the base and the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva in front. But with time on the player's side he could still head to Spain and return to his homeland later in his career, should he wish to do so. The Premier League champions had negotiated with Dortmund to sign Erling Haaland last summer and retain a strong relationship with the German club.īellingham is expected to, eventually, return to England, and Madrid feared that such an allure would prove too much. There had been fears that Real would be outgunned by Manchester City, who were also very keen on Bellingham with Pep Guardiola admitting his interest. Mateo Villalba/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) City overpowered? Their nine-figure sum, including add-ons, can be paid over the length of his six-year deal with the Spanish side respectful of Bellingham's role in Dortmund's title push. They are fully stocked for the next decade.ĭortmund are also prepared to let Madrid pay their £130million deal in instalments, which will ease the financial burden on the Spanish giants. If Bellingham does sign they could pick a midfield trio who are aged 23, 20 and 19, along with the versatile Fede Valverde, still only 24 and enjoying his best goalscoring season this term. A year later Real returned to the French market to add Aurélien Tchouaméni from Monaco, seeing off Liverpool in the process. In their place Madrid have gradually added, prioritising young talent.Įduardo Camavinga, whose stock had risen at Rennes, signed in 2021. The former has already joined Manchester United, Kroos is well into his 30s and is already thinking about his next steps when his playing days are over. Casemiro, Kroos and Modric were pillars of previous success. He met with Bellingham’s father, Mark, earlier this year and and has remained in regular communication, which has highlighted how serious the LaLiga outfit are about signing the 19-year-old.īellingham stands to inherit the £18m basic gross salary that is currently paid to Modric, which could complete a midfield overhaul. Madrid’s chief scout Juni Calafat has been key throughout the process. Modric is thought to have a lucrative offer on the table from Saudi Arabia and could move on, which would leave his No.10 shirt and a major hole vacant. The Croatian's deal expires this summer and there has been no extension signed as of yet, despite talks and unlike Toni Kroos who has already extended his stay. The 37-year-old has claimed the Ballon d'Or whilst at Real and is a modern day icon. Madrid's selling point has centred around him filling the void that will eventually be left by Luka Modric.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |