Real Madrid considered shock Liverpool transfer before deciding on Jude Bellingham

Real Madrid considered making a move for one of Liverpool's star players before they decided to sign Jude Bellingham.

Real Madrid completed arguably the transfer of the summer last year when they signed Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund.

The English midfielder cost the Spanish giants an initial £88.5 million, but he has more than repaid that this season.

The 20-year-old has scored 20 goals in all competitions this season, making him the club's top scorer.

However, it turns out that he might not have made the move to the Bernabeu had Real Madrid made a different decision.

Last summer a new striker was at the top of Real Madrid's shopping list, and according to Fabrizio Romano, Los Blancos seriously considered pursuing Liverpool front-man Darwin Nunez.

Club president Florentino Perez was looking for a new striker after Karim Benzema unexpectedly left for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad at the end of the 2022/23 campaign.

Liverpool signed Nunez from Benfica for around £85 million in 2022, making him the most expensive player in the club's history. This of course meant that the Uruguayan would not have come cheap for Madrid.

Real Madrid reportedly considered a move for Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez (Image: Getty)

The 24-year-old endured a frustrating first season at Anfield, but this term he has scored 13 goals and set up 11 more in 37 outings in all competitions.

In the end Real Madrid decided they wanted Bellingham as their marquee signing, meaning they would have to make do without a big-name striker this season.

It's fair to say they haven't faired too badly without one. 33-year-old striker Joselu was brought in on loan as a back-up option, but for much of the season Carlo Ancelotti has deployed a front two of Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo.

The System actually brought Bellingham's goal-scoring ability to the fore, allowing him to drift into space created by the absence of a traditional fixed number nine.