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Real Madrid fans have taken to social media to express their delight after the club reportedly reached an agreement with Borussia Dortmund to sign midfielder Jude Bellingham.
According to The Athletic, Bellingham, 19, is edging closer to joining the La Liga giants, with only formalities remaining. He will undergo a medical with the Madrid-based club in the coming days.
Real Madrid have agreed to pay Dortmund over €100 million to secure the midfielder's services, as per the report. Hence, the England international will become one of the most expensive signings in the club's history.
Eden Hazard, who will leave Los Blancos at the end of the month, remains the Spanish heavyweights' most expensive signing. He arrived from Chelsea for an initial €100 million in 2019 and became the club's costliest purchase after add-ons were triggered, surpassing Gareth Bale's €101 million fee.
It now remains to be seen if the overall financial package involved in signing Bellingham sees the teenager leapfrog Hazard. Real Madrid fended off competition from Manchester City to acquire Bellingham. Liverpool were also heavily interested in the midfielder but pulled out of the race in April, deeming the finances involved to be too high.
It's only a matter of time before the midfielder officially joins Madrid, and fans cannot contain their excitement, with one tweeting:
"Welcome to a real club that doesn’t bottle everything."
Here are some more reactions to the report that Madrid struck a deal with Dortmund for Bellingham:
Bellingham joined Dortmund from English club Birmingham City for €25 million in 2020.
He made 132 appearances across competitions for the Bundesliga outfit, bagging 24 goals and 25 assists. The youngster helped the side win the DFB-Pokal in the 2020-21 season.
Carlo Ancelotti wants Jude Bellingham's England teammate Harry Kane at Real Madrid
Real Madrid are expected to turn their attention towards signing an elite striker after completing the deal to sign Jude Bellingham. Their need to bring in a new frontman has increased after Karim Benzema joined Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad.
According to The Athletic, Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has told Los Blancos that he wants to sign Tottenham Hotspur Harry Kane. The club hierarchy informed the manager that they will try to acquire Kane from Tottenham Hotspur but pointed out the difficulties involved.
Kane's deal with Spurs runs down at the end of next season. Despite his contractual situation, the north London giants intend to sell him this summer. It's unclear if Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy will allow the striker to leave, though.
The Madrid giants could thus be forced to turn elsewhere in search of a replacement for Benzema. They were linked with a move for Chelsea's Kai Havertz, but the proposed deal has reportedly fallen through.
