27 March 2023 , 14:22
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Real Madrid have decided against making major first-team signings this summer despite their long-standing interest in signing Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe.
Borussia Dortmund ace Bellingham has attracted interest from across Europe’s leading clubs; Liverpool have been credited with an interest on a number of occasions, with Jurgen Klopp a self-confessed huge fan. Meanwhile, rivals Manchester City and Manchester United are also admirers but it has been Madrid who had emerged as the frontrunner for his signature.
Madrid went so far as to hold a transfer meeting with Bellingham’s father Mark in London ahead of Dortmund’s Champions League clash at Chelsea earlier this month. Juni Calafat, director of international football for Real Madrid, conducted the meeting at the Chelsea Harbour hotel in London ahead of the nearby match at Stamford Bridge.
Bellingham's starring role in the recent World Cup for England had also led to Liverpool stepping up their interest in signing the midfielder, whose transfer valuation continues to increase. Yet Madrid have signed Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni in successive summer transfer windows – and are not keen to splurge a huge sum on the England star at this stage.
That is outlined by a report in Marca, who say that the current Spanish and European champions are not willing to invest heavily in their squad this summer. That may allow Bellingham to secure a move to the Premier League, while superstar striker Mbappe is likely to now remain at Paris Saint-Germain.
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Mbappe recently clarified his future in the French capital after refusing to outline his happiness at the club. "For now, a second World Cup," the France international said in November when quizzed over his alleged transfer request. "After that, I don't know."
Mbappe became PSG's all-time record goalscorer earlier this month (Getty Images)Have Your Say! Where will Bellingham and Mbappe be playing next season? Tell us what you think here.
However Mbappe appeared to pour cold water on a potential PSG exit as the striker told reporters earlier this month: "For me, it's a privilege to play here. I'm from Paris and being at PSG is special. I arrived when I was young and I've grown and matured a lot, on and off the pitch, since then."
The striker penned a new three-year contract penned last May – although the final year of that deal is an optional renewal on the player’s behalf. He has long been linked with an exit from the Parc des Princes but is unlikely to agitate for a move this summer, despite entering the final 12 months of the provisional terms of his current deal.