Liverpool set to miss 'British gem' as 'galactic' €270m transfer to rival 'closes'

Liverpool are set to miss Jude Bellingham as Spanish giants Real Madrid 'close' on signing him in a deal worth €270m.

The Reds have planned a deal for Bellingham for the past two months, but they have always had the difficult task of signing him in front of some of the biggest teams in the world.

Bellingham is the belle of the ball heading into the summer as the 19-year-old is one of the best young players in the world.

The midfielder is a special talent and he has already captained Dortmund several times this season. He also played a leading role for England at last year's World Cup in Qatar.

Liverpool have identified him as their primary target as they intend to freshen up their midfield this summer.

But Real Madrid, Man City and Chelsea were among the teams challenging Liverpool for their services. Now the Spanish team appear to have won the race to sign him, if reports are to be believed.

Spanish outlet Defensa Central reports that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is ready to 'make the investment' to sign the 'British gem'.

The report claims that Real Madrid are 'close to finalizing the signing'. They've been "following him for months" and they're now "preparing to launch a galactic bid".

A report from the "partner website" Planet Real Madrid provides more details.

The La Liga team foresees "an almost historic expense" and the price of the "total operation" will amount to "270 million euros".

It is stated that the initial fee for Bellingham will be €100m plus €20m in additional fees. 15 million euros will go to agents, and the player's salary for six seasons will be 135 million euros.

As a reader, you are probably as bored hearing about the future of Bellingham as I am writing about it.

Not exactly a reliable source and they might be a little early to suggest Bellingham to Real Madrid is a done deal.

Many conflicting reports are emerging about Bellingham, with the Spanish media unsurprisingly going to the angle that Real Madrid are favorites over Liverpool.

But a few weeks ago it was suggested that Bellingham had decided to join Man City.

With transfer sagas like this, you don't know who to believe until Fabrizio Romano gives it the "let's go" treatment.

But certainly any club interested in Bellingham would be lucky to have him, and Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has made it clear he is an admirer of the teenager.

"Jude is a great player who we obviously know. We'd be stupid if we didn't have him on screen. But there's nothing more to say about that right now."

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