Real Madrid to sign Jude Bellingham, Al-Ittihad set to snap up N’Golo Kante

Borussia Dortmund have agreed to sell England midfielder Jude Bellingham to Real Madrid for an initial fee of 103 million euros ($110.4 million), the Bundesliga club said on Wednesday.Bellingham will become the third player to be signed Real Madrid for a fee worth at least 100 million euros after Gareth Bale (2013) and Eden Hazard (2019).“With realisation of this transfer, Real Madrid will pay BVB a fixed transfer compensation in the amount of 103 million euros,” Dortmund said in a statement.
The 19-year-old, who had been linked with several major European clubs, joined Dortmund from Birmingham City in 2020 for 25 million pounds ($31.17 million), becoming the most expensive 17-year-old in football hory.
An all-action midfielder whose calmness with the ball at his feet defies his age, Bellingham quickly became a regular in the Dortmund side, anchoring the midfield and starting over 30 Bundesliga games in each of his last two seasons in Germany.
His performances caught the eye of England manager Gareth Southgate who made Bellingham the youngest English player to represent his country at a major tournament during the 2021 European Championship.
He soon became a permanent fixture in England’s midfield, playing all five games at the World Cup in Qatar where they were knocked out in the quarter-finals France.
Bellingham was linked with Premier League clubs who wanted to bring him back to England, including Liverpool whose manager Juergen Klopp said in April that they were forced to pull out of the race to sign him due to his price tag.
At Real Madrid, he will join a side rich in young midfield talent in Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni as the club look to build for the future and replace long-time stalwarts Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
Real, record 14-times European champions, are in the process of rebuilding their squad following high-profile exits such as Karim Benzema — who made a big-money move to Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad —Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio and Mariano Diaz.
They won the Copa del Rey last season but finished 10 points behind champions Barcelona in LaLiga and lost to Manchester City in the Champions League semi-finals.
The deal with Dortmund includes add-ons.
“In addition, the payment of variable transfer fees up to a maximum total amount of around 30% of the amount of the fixed transfer fee has been agreed,” the German club said.
“Such variable transfer fees are dependent on the achievement of certain sporting successes Real Madrid and/or sporting successes or performances of the player at Real Madrid in the period of the next six seasons.”
Al-Ittihad set to sign Kante on two-year deal – Saudi state media
Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante will sign for Saudi Arabia champions Al-Ittihad on a two-year deal, Al Ekhbariya TV said on Wednesday.
Al Ekhbariya added the contract with the 32-year-old, who won the 2018 World Cup with France, has an option to be extended for another year.
If the deal is completed as expected, Kante will line up alongside compatriot Karim Benzema who signed a three-year contract with the Saudi side on Tuesday.
The Saudi Pro League continues to attract high-profile players since Criano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in December for more than $220 million per year.
Other big names Saudi clubs will target in the coming months include Sergio Busquets, Angel Di Maria, Jordi Alba and Sergio Ramos, according to local media.
A source close to Argentina captain Lionel Messi last month told Reuters that he had received a formal offer to join Al-Hilal. However, the 35-year-old World Cup winner looks set to join Inter Miami in the United States.
Kante’s deal is worth 100 million euros ($107 millions) over two years, Saudi media said.
The France international has been a mainstay at Stamford Bridge, making more than 260 appearances and winning the Champions League, Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup during his seven years at the club.
Kante’s last season was plagued injuries, however, as he missed the majority of the campaign. Chelsea struggled without him to finish 12th in the Premier League standings.