Florentino Perez ‘has advantage over Liverpool’ in Bellingham race

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Real Madrid president Florentino Perez’s strong relationship with those in power at Borussia Dortmund could stand the Spanish giants in good stead to beat Liverpool to the summer signing of Jude Bellingham, according to reports. The England midfielder has been linked with a number of Europe’s biggest clubs over the last few months and is widely expected to move on to bigger and better things at the end of the season.

Liverpool are said to be long-term admirers of Bellingham, who has emerged as one of the world’s best young players during his time at Dortmund and was previously targeted by the Reds as a budding youth prospect back in 2012. However, it seems as though Real Madrid could have the upper hand when the bidding opens as a result of Perez’s strong connections in Germany.

The 75-year-old is said to have a close working relationship with Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke, according to AS, which is ‘good news’ for Real Madrid in their bid to beat Liverpool to Bellingham’s signature in the summer. They were said to have registered their interest in the midfielder back in March and will be fully expected to firm up their desire to bring him to the Bernabeu with an official bid when the current campaign draws to a close.

Bellingham will have the final say in deciding where his future lies, though, with no release clause having been inserted into his contract with Dortmund and his deal set to run until the summer of 2025 as things stand. It remains to be seen whether he would be willing to join Real Madrid or if he might ultimately prefer to sign for Liverpool, who are believed to be on the lookout for a new first-choice central midfielder before next season gets underway.

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The Dortmund ace is known to be keenly admired by Reds manager Jurgen Klopp, who has previously hinted at an interest in bringing him to the club if the opportunity arises. Former Reds striker Peter Crouch recently insisted that Bellingham would be the perfect signing for his old club next summer, with the Merseyside giants able to benefit from the capture of a defensively sound addition in the middle of the park.

“Liverpool feel like they are due a big one, and you’re possibly looking at something extra in midfield,” said Crouch when quizzed on the possibility of Liverpool striking a deal to land Bellingham. “Jude Bellingham would fit in perfectly, as long as it is not to the detriment of Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones, who have suffered cruel luck with injuries. It’s not been a settled midfield for a while and those places are up for grabs.”

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A move to Real Madrid could be another enticing option for Bellingham, though, if he gets the opportunity to form an enviable midfield trio alongside Edouardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni over the coming seasons. Ex-England goalkeeper David James believes that Bellingham would find it difficult to turn down such a transfer as a result of his ability to thrive in Spain and help the club to win more Champions League titles in the near future.

“I think if Real Madrid came calling, as much as I’d love to see him in the Premier League, I’m sure that would be a move that he’d greatly accept,” James told GGRecon back in September. “I’m sure Dortmund will be upset that they’ve lost three of their best players in a two-year period. The world is Jude Bellingham’s oyster.”

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