Rio Ferdinand and Peter Crouch Urge Jude Bellingham to Join Real Madrid

Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand

Both Rio Ferdinand and Peter Crouch have given their verdict on a potential Jude Bellingham transfer this summer, with the Borussia Dortmund teen set to be the most sought-after midfield asset in world football when the summer window rolls around.

BT Sport pundits and former England teammates Peter Crouch and Rio Ferdinand have urged Jude Bellingham to swap Germany for Spain when he eventually takes the next step in his career.

Earlier this week, it was widely reported that long-term admirers Liverpool had withdrawn their interest in the teenager, with Jurgen Klopp making a comical comparison, saying their pursuit of the £130m-rated midfielder is like wanting a “Ferrari at Christmas.”

With only a select few clubs in world football able to afford what is likely to be a fee in excess of £120m, it leaves Real Madrid and Manchester City as the only genuine potential suitors.

The reigning Champions League and La Liga champions have made considerable strides in building for the future once the long-running midfield partnership of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos is no longer.

Rio Ferdinand has cited Los Blancos’ blend of youth and experience as the perfect environment for Bellingham to thrive, saying in a BT Sport interview: “If I’m him now, I probably go to Real Madrid. They’ve got a great blend of experience and young players.”

“You’ve got (Edoardo) Camavinga, (Federico) Valverde and (Aurelien) Tchouameni, three of the other best young midfielders in the world as well in that squad. They’re building for success over a good period of time.”

The former Manchester United defender also went on to effectively rule his former club out of the race, with their priority seemingly on acquiring a proven central striker in the coming window.

He also confirmed that Liverpool don’t look to be best placed for a move, although he did admit the prospect of a transfer to Anfield may have enticed the England international.

“Liverpool have ruled themselves out now, [but] I think if they said they would have liked him, there was still a chance he may have gone to Liverpool.
“Just because he believes in himself and would back himself to be the catalyst to get them back up again, which then amplifies his character and his stardust.
“That maybe is something that would have excited him. Man United might offer that, but the problem is that United’s priority is a centre-forward and that’s very secondary. It’s a lot of money and I don’t think they can do both.”

Fellow BT Sport pundit Peter Crouch concurred with his co-presenter, saying: “With Liverpool, the problem now is you can’t guarantee him Champions League football,” Crouch said. “It’s looking very unlikely they’re going to get that now. 

“If you’re Jude Bellingham, do you miss out on a year of Champions League football? I don’t think you do. Especially when you’ve got a host of clubs ]to choose from] – Manchester City, Real Madrid…

“If he doesn’t go to Liverpool, there’s something about wearing that white of Real Madrid. Being an English player and playing there, I think he ends up being England captain if he goes and lifts trophies in the Champions League there.”


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