Real Madrid reach Jude Bellingham transfer agreement with ...

Real Madrid have reached an agreement with Borussia Dortmund to sign Jude Bellingham.

Madrid are set to pay Dortmund in excess of €100million (£86m; $107m) in what will be one of the highest-value transfers in the history of both clubs.

The deal is not yet signed but that is among the formalities that will follow. Bellingham, 19, is expected to undergo a medical in the coming days.

Dortmund later confirmed news of the agreement on Wednesday afternoon. A club statement read: “With realisation of this transfer Real Madrid will pay BVB a fixed transfer compensation in the amount of 103.0m EUR.

“In addition, the payment of variable transfer fees up to a maximum total amount of around 30 per cent of the amount of the fixed transfer fee has been agreed. Such variable transfer fees are dependent on the achievement of certain sporting successes by Real Madrid and/or sporting successes or performances of the player at Real Madrid in the period of the next six seasons.”

The Athletic reported at the weekend that Madrid considered their pursuit of Bellingham to be on track, with the La Liga side in negotiations with Dortmund.

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Manchester City and other potential suitors for Bellingham, meanwhile, believed Madrid to be the Englishman’s preferred destination.

City’s desire to recruit Bellingham from Dortmund has been well-documented, as they look to strengthen their midfield ahead of next season.

But, while holding a concrete interest in the player, City did not submit offers or provide financial numbers to Dortmund or Bellingham regarding a transfer fee or salary.

In April, Liverpool pulled out of the race for Bellingham after deeming the expected asking price and overall financial package to be too high.

Bellingham has grown into one of Europe’s most-wanted midfield players with a host of the continent’s biggest teams known to be previously monitoring his situation at Dortmund.

The Birmingham City academy graduate rose through the ranks with the Championship club before joining Dortmund in the summer of 2020.

He has gone on to establish himself as a key player for the Bundesliga side, often captaining them, as well as becoming a regular in Gareth Southgate’s England team.

Bellingham is set to arrive at the Santiago Bernabeu and join an array of young midfield talent that Madrid have amassed in recent years.

Eduardo Camavinga was signed from Rennes in the summer of 2020 while fellow France international Aurelien Tchouameni arrived from Monaco last summer.

The Athletic revealed in April that veterans Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are expected to sign contract extensions with Madrid. Federico Valverde, who has featured in the forward line but sees his future in midfield, is another regular for head coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Ancelotti has also told the club’s hierarchy he wants Tottenham Hotspur striker and Bellingham’s England team-mate Harry Kane at the club amid Karim Benzema’s departure to Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia.

How Bellingham could fit in at Real Madrid…

Mark Carey has analysed in detail here where Jude Bellingham could fit in at Real Madrid and how he compares to other leading midfielders across Europe… here is a section of that analysis…

“Bellingham should be able to adjust to the tactical style of Real Madrid without too much difficulty, having shown he is comfortable within a 4-3-3 system with clear strengths in counter-attacking play. In fact, the model shows Madrid lead the way in terms of tactical fit when compared with some of Europe’s top clubs.

“His versatility to play anywhere in midfield will be a huge asset, but there is little doubt that Bellingham will be the long-term midfield replacement for Luka Modric or Toni Kroos — both of whom are in the twilight of their career.

“One thing is clear, Bellingham has earned the right to join Real Madrid. He’s a generational talent joining arguably the most decorated football club in the world. It should be a perfect fit.”

Why Bellingham was Bundesliga’s best young player

Analysis by Raphael Honigstein

While Bellingham was forced to sit out the tragic denouement to Dortmund’s season with a knee injury in late May, Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala came on as a substitute to score a historic 89th-minute winner at Cologne. But throughout the season, there was no question which of the league’s most exciting duo of youngsters had played with more maturity and consistency.

Bellingham at times resembled a one-man band in the Dortmund midfield, being everywhere at once. He tackled like a “6”, ran like an “8”, played perfect assists (five in total) like a “10” and scored goals (eight) like a winger wearing the “7”.

On top of that, his intensity and winning attitude did much to wake the side from its lethargy. He sometimes overdid it, putting noses out of joint with his body language but it’s impossible to think of another teenager who packed such a punch consistently for the entire season and indeed all his three years at the club.

(Photo: Lars Baron/Getty Images)