Liverpool handed Jude Bellingham boost as Real Madrid told to sign his friend | Football | Sport
Real Madrid star Antonio Rudiger has urged Los Blancos to sign his Germany team-mate Jamal Musiala in what could be a big boost for Liverpool’s chances of acquiring Jude Bellingham. The Reds are expected to face plenty of competition for Bellingham next summer, including from Real Madrid.
Bellingham and Musiala grew up as good friends in the England youth teams. The latter, who lived in Croydon, South London and played for Chelsea until he was 16, decided to represent Germany and has impressed for the national team.
Musiala has also shone at club level for Bayern Munich, scoring 12 goals from an attacking midfield position. There are many in Germany who believe he is a better prospect than fellow 19-year-old Bellingham.
Former Chelsea defender Rudiger wants to see the Bayern starlet play for Real Madrid. He told journalists at the World Cup: “He is an outstanding footballer and a very, very good guy. He has his feet on the ground despite all the noise around him and he has everything to hopefully play here (at Real Madrid) someday.”
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Musiala counts as an EU player so would be an easier deal for the La Liga outfit to complete. They currently have their full quota of four non-EU individuals, with Bellingham coming under that category.
It would be another boost for Liverpool, who hope to sign Bellingham next summer. Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke revealed last week that the Bundesliga side will speak with the England sensation after the World Cup.
“I think as soon as Qatar is over, we’re going to have a basic conversation about what he actually wants. With him, with his parents, with whom we have a very close relationship, and of course with his advisor,” he said.
“And then he should just tell us whether he wants to stay or whether he wants to go. Either way, we’ll discuss it pleasantly and reasonably.
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“But we don’t have to pretend that the topic isn’t on the table. When the really big ones are there, we can’t afford to fight financially either. Jude is a wonderful boy who also has his fluctuations – we’ve seen that now but he is certainly one of the greatest talents in European football.”
Bellingham has always remained coy on his future. He said in October: “In all honesty I’m not thinking about anything like that. You [the media] will be angry with me as you won’t get a headline, but I’m just focused on the next games with Borussia Dortmund.
“I’m not even thinking about the World Cup. I’m trying to win games with Borussia Dortmund and then we’ll see what happens.”
