Two issues Real Madrid must address to sign Jude Bellingham in 2023

Top football players have always been pursued by Real Madrid with the goal of bringing them to the fame of the Santiago Bernabeu. Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo Goes, Aurelien Tchouameni, and many more have been some of the names in this category in recent years.

One such player the club has reportedly had on its radar for some time is English prodigy Jude Bellingham, who is currently under contract with Borussia Dortmund until 2025, but recent rumours suggest he will be searching for a new club in 2023.

The player has consistently delivered stellar performances for the Black and Yellow and has not steered away from doing so for the English National Team. It’s little surprise that Bellingham has drawn substantial interest from around Europe at such a young age and will be a major topic of debate throughout the upcoming transfer window.

Back in Madrid, they see the Englishman as the last piece in a stacked midfield of exceptional youngsters who will set the groundwork for the club’s new era in the future. Along with Fede Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni, they consider Bellingham as the ideal candidate to anchor the next generation midfield trio.

However, the pursuit will not be as simple as it appears, as Real will have to overcome some huge barriers in order to lure Bellingham to the Bernabeu. In this article, we will focus on two major concerns that Real Madrid will have to work out to make the transfer successful.

1. Fierce competition from other big clubs

It is hinted that Real Madrid won’t be Bellingham’s only bidder; the club may also have to contend with fierce competition from other European powerhouses who are also interested in signing him.

Liverpool, Manchester United, and a few other Premier League clubs have all expressed interest in the youngster. Particularly Liverpool, whose manager Jurgen Klopp is believed to be a fan of Bellingham.

Liverpool is thought to be the strongest opposition for Real Madrid in this move, having recently lost Aurelien Tchouameni to the Spanish club.

The situation may only worsen due to Klopp’s connection with his old club Dortmund, which could assist Liverpool in securing the transfer. Furthermore, if Bellingham decides to leave Dortmund, the former Birmingham City player would most likely prefer a return to his homeland over a transfer overseas.

Bellingham’s contract does not expire until 2025, and if any team decides to go for him in 2023, Dortmund will not hesitate to affix a high price tag on him, perhaps sparking a bidding war between Real Madrid and Liverpool.

2. Jude Bellingham will require a non-EU spot at Real Madrid

The LaLiga rule governing players from nations outside the European Union might be a big reason why Bellingham’s move fails. According to the rule, each LaLiga team may only have three non-EU players in their roster, and any further names cannot be registered over the quota.

After the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union in 2020, players with English citizenship will be assigned to non-EU positions at Spanish clubs rather than regular ones. Jude Bellingham, who is from England, will fit into this category, which may present Real Madrid an extra issue or two to sort out.

Eder Militao and Rodrygo now occupy two of Real Madrid’s three non-EU berths after Vinicius vacated his after receiving a Spanish passport recently. Vinicius Tobias, who is likely to rotate between the first squad and Castilla this season, will be the new non-EU player, leaving no place for Jude Bellingham.

The similar issue prohibited Real Madrid from signing Gabriel Jesus and Takefusa Kubo, both of whom are from outside of Europe.

Rodrygo and Militao’s Spanish passports have yet to arrive, and there is no word on when the two Brazilians will be granted dual citizenship. The delay should not be more than a year, and it may not be a problem to recruit Bellingham in 2023 if the players acquire their passports soon.