American journalist Dean Jones has claimed that Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham will sign for Real Madrid, snubbing Premier League giants Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have long been linked with a move for the England international. For a long time, it was believed that the Reds would be the ones to snap up Bellingham. However, thanks to their tumultuous start to the 2022-23 season, they have supposedly lost ground in the race for the midfielder’s services.
European champions Real Madrid have also been keeping an eye on Bellingham (via MARCA), and according to Jones, Los Blancos are set to get their man. Speaking on the "Ranks FC" podcast, Jones claimed that Bellingham was on his way to the Santiago Bernabeu, not Anfield (via HITC):
“I’m pretty sure that Jude Bellingham is going to end up at Real Madrid, so I don’t think he’s going to Liverpool anyway.”
Jude Bellingham has been in blistering form for the German outfit in the 2022-23 season, scoring eight goals and claiming two assists in 18 goals across competitions. The former Birmingham City man’s contract expires in June 2025.
Liverpool and Real Madrid target Jude Bellingham opens up about future
Bellingham, 19, has been earning praise for his performances for Dortmund, with many clubs interested in prizing him away from Signal Iduna Park. Amid rumors about his future, Bellingham declared that he was solely focused on his career at Dortmund, taking it game by game.
Furthermore, the Liverpool- and Real Madrid-linked midfielder added that he was not even thinking about the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Speaking after Dortmund’s goalless draw with Manchester City on Tuesday night (25 October), Bellingham said (via Metro):
“In all honesty, I’m not thinking about anything like that [the transfer rumors]. You [the media] will be angry with me as you won’t get a headline, but I’m just focused on the next games with Borussia Dortmund.
“I’m not even thinking about the World Cup. I’m trying to win games with Borussia Dortmund and then we’ll see what happens.”
Since joining Dortmund in July 2020, Bellingham has featured in 108 games for the club in all competitions, recording 18 goals and 20 assists.