Financially a blessing, sportingly a loss: Borussia Dortmund has to replace another football jewel in Jude Bellingham. After months of transfer poker, the 19-year-old is moving to Champions League record winners Real Madrid. As the listed Bundesliga club announced in an ad hoc announcement on Wednesday, the renowned Spanish club will pay 103 million euros for the English international, who is actually tied until 2025. In addition, there are possible bonus payments up to a maximum total of around 30 percent of the fixed amount. Ideally, the proceeds could increase to almost 135 million euros. “The contractual details still have to be agreed and documented,” the statement said.
The departure of another key player with a lot of prospects is now part of Dortmund’s DNA. Similar to Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Jadon Sancho (Manchester United) or Ousmane Dembélé (FC Barcelona), the Bundesliga second is required to close the large gap that has arisen as quickly as possible. Once again, a professional who had matured into an international star in his own club could not resist the lure of money. After three years in the black and yellow jersey with 132 competitive games and 24 goals, Bellingham felt like something new – and more international reputation. According to reports, he should receive a contract in Madrid until 2029.
The lavish transfer fee is a consolation. “As a result, the management expects a minimum positive effect on the key earnings figures for the 2023/2024 financial year in the order of around 77 million euros,” said BVB.
With Ousmane Dembélé, who switched from BVB to FC Barcelona in 2017 for around 140 million euros, only one player in Bundesliga history has brought in more money than Bellingham. Jadon Sancho from Dortmund also ranks third on this sales list. The departure of the dribbler to Manchester United flushed 85 million euros into the club’s coffers in the summer of 2021.
Bellingham, who signed for around 25 million euros from the English second division club Birmingham in 2020 at the age of only 17, quickly proved to be a stroke of luck for BVB. With great commitment and a good overview, he became a crowd favorite and an English national player within a few months.
This increased its market value considerably. Even Liverpool FC, which was traded as the new Bellingham club for a long time, got out of the transfer poker weeks ago in view of the lavish fee. What remained were the royals from Madrid, who are gradually looking for replacements for the long-term success guarantee Luka Modric (37) and Toni Kroos (33) in midfield.
The high regard for Bellingham was recently expressed by fans, club and pundits when they were voted “Player of the Season 2022/23”. The tireless runner and committed duel received the most votes. “I can’t believe it. It’s probably one of the awards I’m most proud of since I’ve been playing at this club,” said Bellingham, who scored eight goals and four assists on twelve in his third Bundesliga year Goal participations came.
The proceeds from the sale of Bellingham come in handy for Sebastian Kehl. At the end of a season of missed opportunities, the sports director is planning a squad restructuring. New signings with solid character, fighting spirit and strong play should help Borussia to overcome the trauma after the championship was lost on the last day of the game. “I think that we will reinvest about 60 to 65 percent of the transfer fees that we achieve in this period,” announced managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke recently in the “Bild”. Raphael Guerreiro, Mahmoud Dahoud, Luca Unbehaun, Felix Passlack and Anthony Modeste have already said goodbye to BVB.
Ajax Amsterdam’s Edson Alvarez could help at least partially offset Bellingham’s exit. According to media reports, BVB are interested in signing the 25-year-old Mexican, who, as a defensive midfielder, does not have the offensive qualities of the Englishman. A transfer fee of 35 to 40 million euros is under discussion.
Bellingham Wanted Poster
