31 July 2023 , 16:10
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Jude Bellingham has already found a way to endear himself at Real Madrid by applying for an Irish passport so the La Liga giants can keep their three non-European Union slots free.
The England midfielder has already left a positive impression at the Bernabeu since joining in a deal from Borussia Dortmund that could eventually be worth £115m by impressing in pre-season fixtures.
And his off-field act of becoming the latest Englishman to avail of Irish citizenship through the grandparent rule will ease restrictions on Carlo Ancelotti’s squad. His paternal grandmother is Irish.
La Liga rules says Spanish clubs can have only three non-EU players in their squad and since the UK’s withdrawal from the block that has included British players.
Bellingham’s application is currently with the Irish embassy in Madrid and Real expect the document to be processed in time for him to be registered as an EU citizen at the beginning of the campaign.
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A number of other national associations, including the Italian federation, have decided to continue giving British players the same freedoms as European Union nationals
Brazilians Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo and Militao have been granted Spanish nationality in the past so Real Madrid can circumvent the three-player regulation. When Bellingham is officially registered as an Irishman, all three spots will be free.
Several other England stars could avail of the Irish loophole in the future - including Declan Rice, Jack Grealish and Harry Kane. should he move abroad.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JULY 26: Jude Bellingham #5 of Real Madrid reacts after scoring a goal in the first half against the Manchester United during the 2023 Soccer Champions Tour match at NRG Stadium on July 26, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) (Tim Warner/Getty Images)Bayern Munich are increasingly confident of sealing a deal for the England captain with chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen and technical director Marco Neppe flying to London on Monday for talks with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy.
Kane is reluctant to sign a new deal at Spurs and has 12 months remaining on his current deal. While Bayern are confident of eventually sealing his acquisition before the transfer window closes in a month and are aware Spurs will not want to lose their star player for free next summer, the clubs’ current valuations are still far apart.
The Bavarians' head coach Thomas Tuchel is also eager to have the deal completed and Bayern have the funds available after offloading Sadio Mane to Saudi Arabia following an awful single campaign since forcing his way out of Liverpool.
Paris Saint-Germain are also monitoring Kane’s future but he is not keen on a move to a Premier League rival, predominantly out of loyalty to Spurs supporters.