Jude Bellingham gets promise from Carlo Ancelotti about his position in Real Madrid's lineup: Reports

Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has reportedly received assurances from manager Carlo Ancelotti with regards to his position in the starting lineup. The England international has rediscovered his goalscoring touch in recent weeks after a barren run at the start of the season.

Ancelotti has issued a promise to Bellingham, who lost his way in front of goal after Kylian Mbappe joined the side on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer. According to Real Madrid Confidencial, the Italian tactician has promised to ensure that the 21-year-old is positioned around the penalty box.

Jude Bellingham made a sensational start to life in Real Madrid colors in the 2023-24 season, having joined the side from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2023 for a reported €103 million. He scored 23 goals across all competitions to help the side win the UEFA Champions League and LaLiga titles, and earned Ballon d'Or shouts.

This term, Bellingham went 12 games without a goal from the start of the campaign but has now found the net seven times in his last ten appearances. The England international has noticeably taken up a false nine role similar to the one he had last season, which has allowed him to arrive in the box in dangerous situations.

The injury to Vinicius Jr coincided with the return to goalscoring form of Bellingham in the final weeks before the mid-season break. The return to fitness of the Brazilian star, coupled with the form of Mbappe, will give Ancelotti much to ponder.

Ancelotti's plans will be evident when Real Madrid returns to action for the first time in 2025 against Valencia on Friday (January 3).

Real Madrid prepare new offer for Liverpool ace - Reports

Real Madrid are readying a second attempt to sign Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold in the January transfer window, as per multiple sources. Los Blancos saw an initial attempt to sign the England international for an undisclosed amount, which rebuffed by the Premier League outfit, who remain in negotiations with the defender.

The Times reports that the Spanish giants are prepared to offer as much as £20 million while AS reports that they will offer a lower fee of around £12 million for the right-back. Manager Carlo Ancelotti wants his side to secure the signature of the Englishman in January, as opposed to waiting until he becomes a free agent in the summer.

Liverpool remain hopeful of signing Alexander-Arnold to a new contract and remain in talks with the defender. Los Blancos are looking to sign the defender as a replacement for Dani Carvajal, whose season has been truncated by a knee injury.