Real Madrid identify long-term Luka Modric successor for 2023 transfer window
By Ben Sundock
Real Madrid is busy finalizing its plans for the 2022 summer transfer window, while already looking ahead to 2023!
With Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and Aurélien Tchouaméni listed as the top priorities for this approaching window, the Real Madrid board is making plans to sign Borussia Dortmund star midfielder Jude Bellingham.
Bellingham quickly rose to fame in 2020 when the German giants purchased the then 17-year-old from his boyhood club, Birmingham City. Having played just a single season in the English Championship before moving to Germany for £25 million, there was a lot of pressure and expectation on Bellingham.
He has answered the call by becoming a regular in the Dortmund starting XI and earning 10 caps with the English national team.
Real Madrid has identified Bellingham, as the long-term successor to Modric
Bellingham is the perfect replacement for Luka Modric – who is likely to play one last campaign with Real Madrid in 2022/2023 – as he is a two-way midfielder who seems to be in the right place at the right time at any given moment.
Despite only have now two years of experience in the German top-flight, Bellingham ranks in the 97th percentile of midfielders for touches in the attacking penalty area, progressive passes received, and dribbles completed per 90 minutes.
Much like Luka functions in Real Madrid’s tactics, Bellingham’s job is to push the ball forward both with his passing and dribbling. He is also tasked with dropping back on defense to provide support for his teammates.
Real Madrid is smart to target such a young, promising player who has already proven himself playing in one of the best leagues in the world. While similar in thinking to the decision to sign Eduardo Camavinga this past summer, the signing of Bellingham will be a major one.
He is currently valued at over €80 million but his signature could cost up to €100 million, per rumors.
Though Real Madrid has circled his name as a target, it is nothing more than a plan at the moment. Whether or not the club truly pursues likely hinges on whether or not Tchouaméni is signed, what Toni Kroos and Modric’s contracts look like, and the contingent price tag.
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If the opportunity presents itself, Real Madrid would be dumb to pass up on a talent like Bellingham. However, if other players who play in the same position are signed in the two transfer windows prior to summer 2023, we can kiss this deal goodbye before it even is truly considered.