Real Madrid are ‘growing increasingly confident of winning the race to sign Jude Bellingham’

Spanish giants Real Madrid believe they are closer to pulling off what may turn out to be one of the transfer coups of the summer, confident they have outpaced the growing group of suitors for Jude Bellingham’s signing.

Bellingham has risen from a teenager with much promise in 2020 to a midfielder worth more than £100m, attracting the attention of European giants such as Real Madrid, Liverpool, Chelsea and both Manchester clubs.

The 19-year-old Borussia Dortmund star successfully enhanced his reputation even further with stellar performances in Qatar, becoming Sportsmail’s team of competition in the process, although he failed to secure the Young Player of the Tournament award.

According to the SunCarlo Ancelotti’s side are increasingly confident of luring the Birmingham-born midfielder to the Spanish capital in the summer of 2023.

There is a belief that the idea of ​​becoming an icon for one of the historically greatest clubs in the game has considerable appeal.

The Whites have been busy building a hugely talented midfield who is set to inherit the mantle after legends Luka Modric and Toni Kroos finally hang up their boots or follow former teammate Casemiro to new pastures.

If Bellingham trades Dortmund for Madrid, he would line up alongside the likes of Fede Valverde and young French stars Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni at the Bernabéu.

But nothing has been signed yet, and there is still a good chance that the 19-year-old’s future lies elsewhere, with Liverpool particularly keen on securing his services and previously reported to be close to a deal.

Jurgen Klopp has been outspoken in his praise for the midfielder and has also reportedly been preparing a move for Benfica’s Argentinian star Enzo Fernandez.

Liverpool’s midfield has been a problem area for some time, and Bellingham would bring energy and the ability to regularly break through the lines at Anfield, something they have lacked of late.

Premier League rivals United and City are also in the running, although Erik ten Hag’s side must deal with the fact that they were snubbed two years ago, despite the best efforts of legends Eric Cantona and Bryan Robson.

City may be able to draw on the bigger war chest, but it has been made clear that their development is more important to Bellingham than wages.

Since joining the Bundesliga in 2020 for a fee of £30m, Bellingham has racked up an impressive 112 appearances and even assumed the captaincy, scoring 21 goals and assisting 19 more in the process.