MANCHESTER UNITED and Chelsea have reportedly been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Jude Bellingham.
That’s because Real Madrid are set to land the Borussia Dortmund star using their £70million Casemiro windfall.
The Brazilian anchorman, 30, is on his way to Old Trafford after United struck an incredible deal with Los Blancos.
Casemiro will finally solve Erik ten Hag’s problem in holding midfield.
But Marca claims that by signing the superstar, United have effectively blocked themselves from getting Bellingham, 19.
The England star, also linked with Chelsea and Liverpool, is a top target for Real.
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Los Blancos were already targeting a move for Bellingham next summer.
But with an extra £70m in the kitty from Casemiro’s exit, they are now more confident than ever of having enough funds to sign Bellingham ahead of United and Chelsea.
Carlo Ancelotti sees the ex-Birmingham prodigy as the ideal third man for a new-look midfield with Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga.
Toni Kroos and Luka Modric have a combined age of 68 and won’t be around for much longer.
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And with Federico Valverde becoming a surprise fit on the right wing, it opens the door for a new central midfielder to arrive in 2023.
Bellingham has been at Dortmund since 2020, with the Germans paying a staggering £25m fee despite the star being just 17 years old.
Bellingham has gone on to score 11 goals in 93 games for his club.
And he has since become a regular for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions, winning 15 caps.
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Bellingham is a shoe-in for England’s World Cup squad this winter.
And he could soon find himself competing for top honours should a transfer to Real be realised next summer.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
