Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has suggested the club will not pursue a move for Jude Bellingham this month – with Luka Modric and Toni Kroos both set to extend their stays in the Spanish capital.
Madrid have emerged as the frontrunner for the signature of the Borussia Dortmund ace and the Spanish giants went so far as to hold a transfer meeting with Bellingham’s father Mark in London ahead of Dortmund’s Champions League clash at Chelsea last month.
Juni Calafat, director of international football for the European champions, met the player’s parent at the Chelsea Harbour hotel to discuss the club’s position. Yet the race for Bellingham remains wide open and his future beyond this summer is uncertain.
There are no shortage of clubs willing to pounce for the England international should a move to Spain stall. Liverpool have been credited with an interest in Bellingham on a number of occasions in the past, with Jurgen Klopp thought to be a big fan. Meanwhile, rivals Manchester City and Manchester United are also admirers.
Yet it is Liverpool who have been the Premier League ’s most strongly linked club. Klopp has admitted things need to change at the Reds and is eyeing a summer revamp of the squad, with a particular focus on their ageing midfield.
Speaking in December, when Liverpool's need for reinforcements in midfield had become clear, Klopp purred over the teenage star: "Bellingham is just exceptional. He plays so maturely, like a 28-year-old.
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"Everybody already knew his skills, but I have no idea what that means for the money side of it. He’s very good, exceptional. He had an incredible World Cup."
Liverpool may now have been given fresh hope over a move for the teen sensation. If Modric and Kroos renew at Madrid, they will be sticking around a midfield with Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Fede Valverde and Dani Ceballos among the options in an embarrassment of riches.
Ancelotti told reporters at a press conference on Friday: "They (Modric and Kroos) are discussing it with the club. There is no news from me. They will solve all the matters.
"The quality of Modric, Kroos and (Karim) Benzema is unique. You won't find that on the market. I believe Modric, Kroos and Benzema will be here next season.
"Modric, Kroos and Benzema are special. You have to evaluate them by what they do, not by the age. Maybe they don't have the physique of youngsters, but nobody in the world can handle the games like them.
"Camavinga, Tchouameni, Valverde and Ceballos are the future of this club. Modric, Casemiro and Kroos are irreplaceable, that's why Real Madrid will have to change and play differently."
