Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham has decided he wants to join Real Madrid this summer over Liverpool, according to reports.
The Reds have been lining the England international up for a while now as their big summer target for 2023 after they put their pursuit of a new permanent midfielder on hold until then.
Bellingham, who started in England’s 1-0 loss to Italy in the Nations League last week, has made a big impression in Germany following a move to Dortmund in 2020 for an initial £25m from Championship side Birmingham City.
He has already made 100 appearances for the Bundesliga side at the age of 19, which has earnt him 16 caps for the Three Lions in the process.
Bellingham’s performances have led to interest from Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City with Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona also understood to be keen.
Liverpool have been particularly interested with reports indicating that they were willing to wait until 2023 for a new midfielder if it meant they could land top target Bellingham.
After a number of injuries and a mixed start to the new season, Liverpool went into the transfer market on deadline day for the loan signing of Juventus midfielder Arthur.