Real Madrid look to woo Jude Bellingham with 'now-or-never' offer

Real Madrid are set to make an appeal to Jude Bellingham that he has a chance-of-a-lifetime opportunity to join them as they start their campaign to land the England midfielder next summer.

The 19-year-old is a target for Liverpool and Chelsea, with Manchester City also monitoring his situation at Borussia Dortmund following his emergence in Bundesliga in the last two years. But Real have launched their charm offensive and the teenager was this week on the front cover of Marca who have declared his transfer a work in progress.

Madrid are ready to attempt to persuade Bellingham with the promise of making him their next “Young Galactico”, according to sources, and tempting him by suggesting opportunity may never come around again.

French midfielders Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga have been brought to the Santiago Bernabéu in recent seasons, joining other young stars in Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo.

Bellingham is seen as the most talented player Madrid could add to their stable of young talent, and are expecting him to be on the market for around £88 million.

He was made captain of Dortmund for their Champions League win over Sevilla this week, where he scored and assisted in a game which proved to be the final fixture in charge of the Spanish team for Julen Lopetegui, who was sacked post-match.

Liverpool have a long-standing interest in Bellingham and were leading the chase for him earlier in the campaign. Since then his value has soared further with his displays for England during the international break following his consistency in Bundesliga. As reported by Telegraph Sport, Chelsea also retain an interest and do not want to be left behind in the race for the midfielder.

Bellingham has also played against City this season and they usually look at entering the market for world-class players when they feel there is good value and a deal to be done. They could appeal to Bellingham given their potential for trophies in such a strong squad.

City captain Ilkay Gundogan is in the final year of his contract, although could extend at the Etihad, while Bernardo Silva has considered leaving the club before and getting tempted away would free a place in the squad.

“I was impressed two seasons ago when he was 17!” Guardiola said after facing Bellingham in September. “An exceptional player. I think everyone knows it, not just because the manager of Manchester City is going to tell you.”

Bellingham is expected to go to the World Cup in Gareth Southgate’s squad where his value could increase further. He played alongside Declan Rice in the recent Nations League games and is in line to start the tournament in Qatar if Kalvin Phillips does not recover from shoulder surgery.