The summer transfer window just opened, but Real Madrid are ready for business.
On the heels of the shock departure of star man Karim Benzema to the Saudi Pro League, Los Blancos have had to put that disappointment behind them to focus on bringing in some fresh new faces. The Spanish giants have been long linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund starlet Jude Bellingham, and now, after some negotiations, the team have finally gotten their player.
Bellingham certainly won't come cheap. The English international, who set several records during his time at Signal Iduna Park, has cost Real Madrid over $100 million (€103 million). It's a massive amount for a player who is just 19, but clearly Los Blancos, like many other big teams, including Liverpool, and Manchester City, are clearly impressed with Bellingham's body of work since bursting onto the scene a few years ago.
The English attacker was one of the stars for the Three Lions at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and started in all five of Gareth Southgate's side's matches in Qatar. In addition, Bellingham, who joined Borussia Dortmund in July 2020, has served as captain for die Schwarzgelben on several occasions - making him the youngest to do so - and now, will take the next big step of his nascent career as Madrid hope that he will reach greater heights under Carlo Ancelotti's tenure.
Bellingham is expected to be just one of several players Madrid will bring in this summer, as Los Blancos are still in the hunt to find a player to replace Benzema. Tottenham ace and Bellingham's English colleague Harry Kane is among those high on the team's wish-list, so it will be interesting to see if Bellingham will be one of two English signings for the Spanish powerhouse this summer.
