Real Madrid will pay an initial £88.5m for Jude Bellingham but the deal could rise to £115m – a record deal for a British player; the England international has spent the last three years at Borussia Dortmund; Bellingham will be presented as a Real Madrid player on Thursday
The England midfielder, who will become his country’s most expensive player should the deal rise to the £115m price tag including add-ons, has signed a six-year deal at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real will pay £88.5m for Bellingham. He will be presented as a Los Blancos player in a presentation on Thursday morning at 11am.
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Bellingham, who will celebrate his 20th birthday on June 29, leaves Dortmund after three seasons. He was named Bundesliga Player of the Year in the latest campaign.
In a farewell statement on the Dortmund website, Bellingham said: “Thank you to everyone at BVB and to the fans for everything over the past three years.
“It’s been an honour to wear your jersey so many times, in big and small moments. Even though I look forward to my next destination, I will never forget the journey there. Once Borussia always Borussia. Best wishes for the future.”
Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke added: “We thank Jude for three years of passion for Borussia Dortmund. It was great to spend time together.
When Bellingham was at the peak of his powers during the World Cup with England, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti had his say on where he ranks as one of the best young midfielders in the world.
“Bellingham is one of them,” the Italian said. “But I’ll stick with my midfielders, who are very good, especially the youngsters.”
It was a reminder, despite Bellingham being one of the most sought-after midfielders ahead of this summer’s transfer window, that Real Madrid are a club with plenty of pedigree in that position.
So where does Bellingham fit in? Is he guaranteed a place in the Real starting line-up?
