Jude Bellingham is set to join Real Madrid for over €100m. Borussia Dortmund can use the money to finance the next attack on Bayern.
Compared to Jude Bellingham, even world footballer Lionel Messi is a small number. The Spanish sports gazette “Marca” headlined “Welcome Bellingham” on Thursday, the rival newspaper “As” breathed a “Bienvenido” at the 103 million newcomer from Real Madrid.
Even the move from Messi (35) to the (soccer) pensioner’s paradise Florida became a side note.
One thing is clear: the future belongs to 19-year-old Bellingham, and as expected, it no longer lies with Borussia Dortmund, but with the Champions League record winner.
For BVB, this personality is undoubtedly a sporting loss, but the coffers are full for the next attack on series champions FC Bayern.
Jude Bellingham the second most expensive departure in BVB history
After all, Bellingham came to Dortmund in 2020 as a top English talent – for a remarkable 25 million euros. Three years later, the midfielder leaves the black and yellow for a fixed fee of 103 million euros, with bonus payments this can become 137 million.
Only the “contractual details” still have to be “coordinated and documented,” said the listed BVB in its ad hoc announcement. They should be a formality.
This makes Bellingham the second most expensive Bundesliga exit after Ousmane Dembele, who switched from BVB to Barcelona six years ago for up to 147 million.
Dortmund’s sports director Sebastian Kehl can and must go shopping again, but the big upheaval should not happen.
“We have a very good team, we scored 46 points this year, 40 of them in the second half alone,” said BVB boss Hans-Joachim Watzke recently to “SID”. “And we have a great coach who fits in wonderfully with this team.” BVB will, he said, “want to play for the German championship again because we have the feeling that we are very close.”
BVB sets the course for personnel
Many points have already been set, captain Marco Reus and veteran Mats Hummels remain. Dortmund recently brought in mentality player Ramy Bensebaini from Borussia Mönchengladbach for left-back Raphael Guerreiro.
With the departure of Bellingham, there is of course a need in midfield, where Emre Can carries a lot of weight on the six. A position further forward should also be sought.
Edson Alvarez from Ajax Amsterdam is considered a hot candidate. Gold Cup winner, Dutch champion twice, Dutch cup winner once: The Mexican, 25, tall, uncompromising in duels, seems ready for the next step, but is hardly available for less than 25 million euros.
Even more of a development transfer would be Enzo Le Fee, who has already played through three seasons at FC Lorient.