JUDE BELLINGHAM is reportedly set to miss England’s Euro 2024 qualifiers amid fears he needs surgery.
The midfielder, 19, has developed into a key man for Gareth Southgate as the beating heart of the Three Lions’ starting XI.
And he would surely have started June’s games against Malta and North Macedonia.
However, as reported by the Daily Mail, Bellingham may go under the knife in the off-season to try and fix a knee problem which has seen it strapped up in recent weeks.
The Bundesliga player of the year missed Borussia Dortmund’s season finale at home to Mainz.
He acted as water boy on the sidelines as he watched the 2-2 draw helplessly unable to impact the game while Bayern Munich scored a last-gasp winner to be crowned champions.
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Manager Edin Terzic said: “He didn’t feel well before the game. He told us he didn’t feel ready to start and if we needed him, we could put him on for a couple of minutes. He was very sad and emotional but I’m quite sure he’s a winner.
“He’ll win so many trophies in his career and, for that, he needs to stay fit and healthy and recover as quickly as possible.”
England are set to meet up at St George’s on the weekend of June 10-11, when the Manchester City stars will be in Istanbul for the Champions League final.
However, it is understood Bellingham will withdraw from the squad before then, which could be good news for fellow midfielder Eberechi Eze who earned his first senior call-up.
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And that means the next time Bellingham plays a match it could be for Real Madrid.
Los Blancos are on the verge of completing a transfer – although Dortmund are desperately holding out for £130million.
The deal would include £105m up front with £25m in add-ons and is a huge increase on the £30m Dortmund paid Birmingham three years ago.
Bellingham’s father Mark has been involved in the negotiations with Real Madrid, who first made contact two years ago.
The 19-year-old has favoured a move to Spain rather than Manchester City or even Liverpool, who withdrew because they could not afford him.
Bellingham’s contract could be six years long and would become one of the top earners at the Bernabeu.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
