HomeFeatured ArticlesBellingham's Bernabeu Dream: Unpacking the €100M Deal

Bellingham’s Bernabeu Dream: Unpacking the €100M Deal

Jude Bellingham: The Story Behind Real Madrid’s New Crown Jewel

Real Madrid, Champions of the Jude Bellingham Chase

The fate of the prodigious Jude Bellingham now hangs in the balmy air of Madrid. The Spanish titans, Real Madrid, appear to have outmanoeuvred their competition, agreeing to a €100million (£86m; $107m) payment to Borussia Dortmund for the young midfielder, as exclusively reported by David Ornstein in The Athletic.

Notably absent from this significant chapter of European football’s summer narrative are Manchester City and Liverpool, two giants who had cast their gaze upon Bellingham, only to see him slip through their fingers.

Though the contract is yet to be penned, a mere formality it appears, a medical examination for Bellingham is imminent.

The Bellingham Enigma: England’s Midfield Dynamo

For those unacquainted with the marvel that is Jude Bellingham, this talented youngster stands as a beacon among England’s current generation of talent. At the tender age of 16, Birmingham City saw it fit to retire his shirt number – “22”, a testament to his diverse abilities as a midfielder, a “4”, an “8”, and a “10” all wrapped into one.

While his swift ascent at Dortmund has been startling, it didn’t come as a surprise. His entry into the Bundesliga in 2020, just a month past his 17th birthday, heralded an era of mature performances, highlighted by commanding presence in the midfield and a flair for leadership, evident from him being the deputy captain at 19. With a commendable tally of 24 goals and 25 assists in 124 games, his relentless determination and flexibility have proven invaluable to Dortmund.

Photo: IMAGO

The Bellingham-Madrid Affair: How the Spanish Giants Prevailed

What was once a hot pursuit for Bellingham, involving the giants of football, ultimately simmered down to a two-horse race between Real Madrid and Dortmund. Liverpool had initially been in the fray but were forced to step aside, daunted by the asking price. Manchester City had been hopeful, but in the end, it was the allure of Real Madrid’s white shirt that captivated Bellingham.

Despite their initial pessimism owing to financial constraints, Madrid managed to convince the Englishman of their project, promising him a pivotal role in their vision, akin to the likes of Vinicius Junior and Eduardo Camavinga. Relations between Madrid and Dortmund remained cordial throughout, facilitating the transfer.

The Price Tag: What’s the Cost for Real Madrid and Bellingham?

Madrid is set to pay Dortmund €103 million in fixed compensation along with a variable compensation of around 30% in relation to the fixed amount. Despite forgoing the more lucrative wages of the Premier League, Bellingham will slot into one of Madrid’s highest salary brackets. It is expected to be on an ascending scale, with initial wages falling slightly below the €10 million-€12 million range.

The Madrid Budget: Sourcing the Funds

The acquisition, to be paid over several periods, will certainly put a dent in Madrid’s finances. However, Madrid’s prudent transfer strategy in recent years, including a positive balance of €163.35 million, ensures that the club can handle the expenses of the transfer without sinking into financial turmoil. The club’s conservative approach has been vital in navigating the economic challenges of the pandemic and the Bernabeu stadium renovation, which incurred a total debt of over €1 billion.

Yet, Madrid’s astute financial management has allowed them to turn a profit in recent years, even boasting a record profit of €43.9 million this year. This financial stability has been bolstered by cuts to their.) For the uncrowned prince of Borussia Dortmund, Jude Bellingham, it is time for a reign anew in the royal white of Real Madrid. This latest twist in the narrative has been shared by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, and it paints a picture of intrigue, ambition, and astronomical sums of money.

There’s a widely-held belief that, in the realm of football, certain affairs are ordained. Bellingham’s journey to Madrid is one such narrative, having ceased to be a race and instead evolved into a cordial negotiation between Dortmund and Real Madrid.

Long before this decisive turn of events, Liverpool were within striking distance of securing the prodigious young man’s signature, but their war chest fell short. Manchester City, too, with their eyes glistening at the prospect, were momentarily optimistic, only to have their dreams extinguished by the teenager’s Spanish siren song.

Bellingham’s dream of donning the iconic white jersey of Madrid was communicated to the Spanish stalwarts in late April. That call of loyalty, resonating with aspirations of a youthful squad burgeoning with potential, reverberated across the city walls of Manchester before City’s Champions League semi-final first leg at the Bernabeu.

The Financial Battle Ground

Much like the tension between footballing prowess and financial prudence, there is an uncomfortable balance to maintain. Dortmund demanded an eye-watering €150million. Madrid, while undoubtedly recognising Bellingham’s prodigious talent, balked at this figure, deeming €100m to be a stretch too far.

In the end, Madrid agreed to part with €103million in fixed compensation. There’s also the small matter of a 30 per cent variable compensation related to the fixed amount. But in this game, where absolute figures are as uncertain as a penalty shootout, one must account for inflation. As for Bellingham’s wages, two Madrid sources whispered that while they might not reach €10million-€12million net per year initially, they would put him among the highest earners at the Santiago Bernabeu.

So, who exactly is this Jude Bellingham whose name we’ve been so carefully etching into the annals of football history? A lynchpin of England’s blossoming midfield, Bellingham is three players in one. For those needing a memory jog, he’s a number 4 – a holding midfielder, an 8 – a central midfielder, and a 10 – an attacking midfielder, all rolled into one.

His performances for Dortmund were so superlative that by 19, he was deputy captain, amassing 24 goals and 25 assists in 124 games. Yet, these numbers are the crudest of measures, unable to quantify his relentless drive, strong mentality, and flexibility in the middle of the park.

How does Real Madrid, ensnared in the throes of financial turmoil, manage such a high-profile signing? The answer lies in the cunning financial play. Despite incurring a negative financial burden with this transfer, they’ve balanced the books, boasting a positive balance of €163.35million until the signing of Bellingham.

The overhaul of the Bernabeu has led to two loans amounting to over €1billion. Yet, amidst this, Madrid managed to post a surplus in their previous three financial years, and this year are set to make a record profit of €43.9million. This has been achieved thanks to prudent cuts, transfer surpluses, and a profitable partnership with investment group Sixth Street and entertainment group Legends Hospitality.

The Impact on The Galácticos

Does this mean the curtains for Madrid to avoid duplication. Friday, the fifteenth of July 2023. Today, there’s an announcement that could shake up the footballing world and write a new chapter in the storied rivalry between the Spanish and German giants, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund respectively.

It is the day that young British sensation Jude Bellingham might officially become a Real Madrid player. The first whispers from David Ornstein of The Athletic tell us a princely sum, upward of €100 million, is being proffered to prise the 19-year-old midfield maestro away from Borussia Dortmund.

For the uninitiated, Jude Bellingham is a shining star in the rich constellation of English football. Barely out of his teenage years, he’s garnered praise from all quarters for his prodigious talent, with the number “22” emblazoned on his shirt – a testament to his versatile playing style. He combines the defensive prowess of a “4”, the controlling nature of an “8”, and the attacking flare of a “10” with remarkable panache.

The boy from Birmingham, whose shirt number was retired in tribute by his childhood club, now looks set to take the Bernabeu by storm. Since his arrival at Dortmund at the tender age of 17, Bellingham’s dynamism and maturity have astonished the German fans and pundits alike. His contributions to the game can’t be defined by numbers alone, though they are impressive – 24 goals and 25 assists in 124 games. His relentless drive, tenacity, and versatility will make him a formidable addition to any midfield, and Real Madrid are keen to have him in theirs.

The Road to Real Madrid – A Tale of Intrigue

The race to sign Bellingham seemed to be a foregone conclusion. However, the last couple of months have seen a two-horse race between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund to secure his signature.

Many were of the opinion that Liverpool were front-runners in the chase. But the Merseyside club soon realised their pockets weren’t deep enough to foot the bill. Even Manchester City, initially optimistic, had to step back as they became privy to Bellingham’s preference for the iconic white shirt of Real Madrid.

At the tail end of April, Bellingham made his intention clear to the Spanish giants. The prospect of being part of a project that hinged on young, promising talent enthralled him. The promise of becoming a pillar in Madrid’s footballing structure was too enticing to resist, just as it had been for the likes of Vinicius Junior and Eduardo Camavinga.

Madrid and Dortmund have been wrangling over the price tag. The German club initially set their sights on €150 million, a figure that seemed exorbitant even to the Spanish giants. But the wheels of negotiation continued to turn, leading to a potential deal for €103 million in fixed compensation, plus an additional 30% in variable compensation, tied to inflation and performance.

While Bellingham could have pocketed more at a Premier League club, he will find himself amongst the highest earners in the Real Madrid dressing room. The contract details, still under wraps, suggest a potential ascending salary scale common with long-term contracts, especially for young talents.

Real Madrid’s financial strategy has been conservative, even cautious, in the post-pandemic era. The Madrid outfit has been reining in their spending, as evidenced by their Transfermarkt-reported positive balance of €163.35 million over the past three years. This trend, coupled with transfer surpluses and a beneficial partnership with investment group Sixth Street and entertainment group Legends Hospitality, is expected to cushion the fiscal impact of Bellingham’s arrival.

This transfer won’t be an easy pill to swallow for Real Madrid, already grappling with the astronomical costs of the ongoing Bernabeu renovation. The club has taken two loans totaling over €1 billion to finance the project. However, despite these daunting figures, the club has managed to post a profit in each of the past three financial years, and even aims to make a record profit of €43.9 million this year.

As they say in Madrid, “Hala Madrid!” With Bellingham, the future indeed looks promising.

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