Steve Nicol explains why a move to Real Madrid would suit Jude Bellingham. (1:52)
Real Madrid has reached an agreement with Borussia Dortmund to sign Jude Bellingham for an initial amount of 103 million euros, the Bundesliga club announced on Wednesday.
Sources told ESPN on Wednesday that the deal was made for around €100 million with an additional value of €20 million in add-ons. Dortmund showed that 30% of the down payment would offset the rest of the deal.
– Broadcast by ESPN: LaLiga, Bundesliga, (United States)
Madrid won the tender green to the 19-year-old a few weeks ago and now he has taken the definitive step to turn the foreigner from England into one of the signings of the summer movement window.
Madrid beat Manchester City – and in the past Liverpool – to sign Bellingham, one of the most sensible promises in European football.
The Spanish giants are looking to strengthen this summer after completing Barcelona’s La Liga moment and being eliminated by City in the Champions League semi-finals.
He will sign the youths Eduardo Camavinga -signed in 2021- and Aurélien Tchouameni -signed in 2022- as Madrid renews its midfield.
ESPN reported last month that Madrid was sure to beat City in signing, and club representatives flew to Germany to talk face-to-face with Dortmund.
The race to clinch Bellingham has been fierce, with Liverpool and City favourites elsewhere last season before Madrid took the lead.
Bellingham joined Dortmund from Birmingham City in July 2020.
In 3 years in Germany, he has one of the most productive players in the Bundesliga, playing 31 league games this season and scoring 8 goals, and even captain of the team.
He played for England at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, all five matches.
Madrid have followed an emerging transfer policy in recent years, with Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes, Federico Valverde and Camavinga already established as key pieces of the first team.
Bellingham is not expected to be the last to arrive at the Bernabeu this summer, as Madrid are also looking for the team in various positions, adding the signing of a replacement for striker Karim Benzema, who joined Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia this month.