One of football’s longest-running transfer sagas could soon be coming to an end – Jude Bellingham is close to reaching an agreement to join Real Madrid.
90min understands following a key meeting this weekend between the player’s father and chief scout Juni Calafat, Los Blancos will look to seal a deal with Borussia Dortmund.
Bellingham looks set to become the first Englishman since David Beckham to bear the white of Real Madrid. But which number will accompany him on those famous old strips?
Here is Bellingham’s shirt number history and the options currently available to him at the Santiago Bernabeu.
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Ever since breaking into Birmingham City’s first team as a 16-year-old, Bellingham has only worn one number at club level – 22.
There are a few other numbers that Bellingham has donned while on international duty with England at various age levels.
In addition to his favourite 22, Bellingham has also adorn the numbers 7, 8, 10, 18, 19, 21, 23 and 26.
Well, Jude, I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news – none of the shirt numbers you’ve previously worn in your career are currently up for grabs at Real Madrid.
The number 7 is taken by Eden Hazard, 8 by Toni Kroos, 18 by Aurelien Tchouameni, 21 by Rodrygo, 22 by Antonio Rudiger and 23 by Ferland Mendy. The number 26 is forbidden for senior players due to La Liga registration rules decreeing they must wear shirts between one and 25.
However, Bellingham is in a prime position to take the number 10. 90min understands that due to their pursuit of the Englishman, Real Madrid have cooled talks with Luka Modric over a new deal – his contract expires in the summer, which would leave his number free to claim.
If Bellingham doesn’t fancy that, then the numbers 14 and 25 are available to him too.
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