Jude Bellingham would prefer to join Real Madrid rather than Liverpool, according to reports, in news which comes as a crushing blow for Jurgen Klopp.
The Borussia Dortmund sensation is at the centre of an intense three-way transfer battle as Los Blancos, the Reds and Manchester City tussle for his signature next summer. Each of the European heavyweights believe they are the most attractive destination for Bellingham, with City certain he would like to work with Pep Guardiola.
Mirror Football reported in mid-December that Anfield chiefs are similarly confident they can come out on top, but Real Madrid harbour growing hopes of their own. In a promising update for the Santiago Bernabeu hierarchy, Bellingham has told his inner circle that he would like to join the Spanish giants.
That is according to GOAL, which claims Real Madrid will prioritise striking a deal to sign the 19-year-old next year. If they are successful, Carlo Ancelotti will have a breathtaking array of emerging midfielders at his disposal, including Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde.
Signing the youngster will be an expensive task as Dortmund will demand at least €120million (£106m) to part ways with their prized asset. Such a fee being agreed would represent a huge profit for the Bundesliga side, who paid £22million to sign Bellingham from boyhood club Birmingham City in July 2020.
The report notes Liverpool will not give up hope of signing Bellingham, who has a close relationship with Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold. The trio were members of Gareth Southgate's England squad which reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Qatar and were often seen spending time together.
Which club should Jude Bellingham join next summer: Real Madrid, Liverpool or Manchester City? Have your say in the comments!
Bellingham is regarded as Europe's brightest midfield talent and leads the scoring charts for Dortmund this season with seven goals to his name. That is despite the fact he is a midfielder and operates in a box-to-box role, while he has also racked up three assists in all competitions.
Dortmund will hope the former Birmingham prodigy maintains his world-beating form in the second half of the season after their disappointing start which leaves them sixth in the table. The Westphalian club return to action after a lengthy winter break against Augsburg on 22 January and they have been drawn against Chelsea in the Champions League last 16.
This will give fans across Europe the chance to take in Bellingham's talent on the big stage once again. The youngster shone against Premier League champions Manchester City in the Champions League group stage, opening the scoring in Dortmund's 2-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium in September.
