Real Madrid have reportedly come to an agreement with Borussia Dortmund over a deal for Jude Bellingham, with the midfielder set to undergo a medical at Bernabeu in the coming days.
Last month, it was claimed that Real Madrid had won the race to sign the 19-year-old, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United among those admitting defeat in their pursuit of him.
Neither Real Madrid nor Dortmund were looking to enter into firm discussions until after the 2022-23 campaign had finished, while Bellingham also wanted to finish the season before signing any agreement.
According to The Athletic, the two clubs have now settled on a transfer fee for the teenager, who is set to be officially unveiled as a Real Madrid player in the not too distant future.
The report claims that Los Blancos will pay in excess of €100m (£86m) for the former Birmingham City youngster, making it one of the most expensive deals of all time.
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Bellingham is allegedly now preparing to undergo a medical with Carlo Ancelotti's side before an official announcement is made.
Widely regarded as one of the best young talents in world football, the midfielder swapped Birmingham for Dortmund in the summer of 2020, and he has represented BVB on 132 occasions, scoring 24 goals and providing 25 assists in the process.
This season, Bellingham managed 14 goals and seven assists in 42 appearances, including eight goals and five assists in the Bundesliga, as Dortmund fell just short of Bayern Munich on the final matchday.
Real Madrid are well-stocked in central midfield, with Toni Kroos and Luka Modric widely expected to sign new one-year extensions at Bernabeu, while Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde are options in that area of the field.
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Los Blancos will also be in the market for at least two forwards this summer, with Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, Eden Hazard and Mariano Diaz all leaving.
However, Real Madrid view acquiring Bellingham as their main priority, with the club determined to beat the likes of Man City and Liverpool to his signature.
As well as starring for Dortmund over the last couple of seasons, Bellingham is a key player for England, featuring on 24 occasions, including starting all five games at the 2022 World Cup.
The midfielder joined Birmingham at Under-Eight level, and he was a key player for the Blues during the 2019-20 campaign, featuring on 44 occasions, before moving to Germany.
Real Madrid fell short in La Liga and the Champions League during the 2022-23 campaign, but they still won three trophies, triumphing in the UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup and Copa del Rey.
Matt Law
