Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid player
Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Real Madrid have made significant progress in negotiations with Jude Bellingham’s representatives over a new contract and are hopeful of reaching an agreement before the end of 2026, according to Graeme Bailey.
The England midfielder is already under contract at the Santiago Bernabeu until 2029, but Los Blancos have been keen to revisit his terms after his continued rise in importance for both club and country.
On that note, the proposed renewal would reward Bellingham with a substantial salary increase and strengthen his position among Real Madrid’s highest-paid players.
Bellingham in line for huge Real Madrid pay rise
The journalist states that Bellingham currently earns around €20 million per season, but the proposed agreement would take his salary beyond €30 million annually.
Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid
Real Madrid are progressing well in renewing Bellingham’s contract. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
This represents an increase of roughly 50% and would place the England star in the same financial bracket as Real Madrid stars Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr, who also renewed his contract with substantial pay rise earlier this year.
Notably, the club’s thinking is closely linked to Bellingham’s status within the team.
Madrid consider him one of the leading midfielders in world football and believe his performances have put him into the conversation for the next Ballon d’Or.
His latest international displays have only reinforced that view, with Bellingham playing a starring role for England against Croatia.
Real Madrid want Bellingham tied down beyond 2029
Jude Bellingham, England and Real Madrid player
Bellingham will earn close to 50% pay rise with his new contract. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
The proposed renewal is expected to extend Bellingham’s commitment beyond his current 2029 expiry date, with a deal running until at least 2031 being discussed.
The precise length could depend on when the final agreement is signed, but Madrid’s intention is for Bellingham to be tied down for the foreseeable future.
Real Madrid’s proposal also gets strong backing from the fact that Bellingham is certainly not looking for a way out of the Bernabeu.
The midfielder is happy with life in Madrid and committed to continuing his career with the Spanish giants, making the current negotiations more about securing an agreement that reflects his status than trying to convince him to stay.
Mbappe’s commitment to Real Madrid questioned amid claims he was ‘more focused on the World Cup’
Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid player
Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty ImagesPhoto by Fran Santiago/Getty Images
Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe is always in the spotlight for one reason or another, which is common for a player of his stature.
He has found himself at the centre of fresh debate in Spain, with questions being raised over whether the French superstar is sufficiently focused on Real Madrid.
This is a criticism that has followed him quite a bit since his move to Spain, but Mbappe’s goalscoring numbers simply cannot be criticised.
Questions raised over Mbappe’s priorities
Speaking on El Partidazo de COPE, journalist Juanma Castano discussed the perception surrounding Mbappe.
He suggested that there are people who believe the forward’s priorities have not always been completely aligned with those of Madrid.
“They see him as more committed to himself than to Real Madrid,” Castano said.
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid
Mbappe’s commitment has been called into question. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
The criticism then went further, with the World Cup in the summer also mentioned as a potential factor behind the perception.
“They saw him as more concerned about the World Cup than about the end of the season,” he added.
Those are serious claims to make about a leading player at Madrid whose performances on the pitch have hardly ever dipped.
A serious accusation at Real Madrid
Nothing in Castano’s comments proves that Mbappe deliberately placed France or his personal objectives ahead of Madrid.
Mbappe’s quality is beyond question, and his importance to Mourinho’s attack makes him one of the players Madrid can least afford to have surrounded by doubts over commitment.
The Frenchman was suffering from a knee injury in the second half of last season. This kept him out of action for a few weeks.
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid
Mbappe has been in excellent form since the World Cup. (Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images)
Mbappe returned in style at the World Cup, winning the Golden Boot and obliterating all kinds of goalscoring records.
He has since continued in the same vein at the beginning of the season for Mourinho’s team and has been one of La Liga’s best attackers.
Mbappe’s best answer has to come on the pitch
Ultimately, this is the kind of debate Mbappe can shut down himself, not with words but with his performances on the pitch.
Madrid do not need their biggest star to abandon his ambitions with France. They need him to ensure complete commitment to the club when he wears Madrid white, and he has not given them any reason to doubt that.
The Frenchman will continue to be held to very high standards compared to some other players. He is currently recovering from injury and will hope to return to action soon.
It remains to be seen how Mbappe fares for the rest of the season and whether he can play a starring role in bringing silverware back to the Santiago Bernabeu.