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Topics: Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso, Liverpool, Football, La Liga
James Taylor
Topics: Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso, Liverpool, Football, La Liga
Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham has been linked with a potential swap deal following reports of friction between the midfielder and manager Xabi Alonso.
It has been a difficult start to the season for Bellingham, who missed the opening weeks of the campaign as he recovered from shoulder surgery.
Since returning to action in September, he has started seven games, scoring three goals, but has struggled to replicate the form that made him one of the best players in Spain last season.
Bellingham joined Real Madrid for an initial £88.5 million in the summer of 2023, spending his first two years under Carlo Ancelotti.
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The Italian manager predominantly deployed him in an advanced role, as Bellingham scored 38 goals across his opening two campaigns in Spain.
However, Alonso, who took charge of Real Madrid over the summer, has preferred to play the midfielder in a slightly deeper role.
After a strong start to the season, the Spanish giants have stuttered in recent weeks, drawing their last three La Liga matches, surrendering top spot to Barcelona in the process.
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Amid that downturn, Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo reported that there is friction between Alonso and Bellingham.
But those reports were quickly denied by Alonso ahead of last weekend's match against Girona.
“Absolutely not," he insisted.
"I have excellent communication and a very good relationship with Jude.
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"He's a world-class player; he has that drive to improve, learn, and become more efficient with the great potential he has.
“I like players who are curious and proactive enough to come and ask what we can do better.
"He fits in with different profiles and heights because he's very well-rounded, and we also need to be aware of what's going on around him.”
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Despite Alonso's insistence that he is happy with Bellingham, Defensa reported that Liverpool have made an approach for the midfielder.
The Reds, who attempted to sign Bellingham in 2023 before he moved to Madrid, reportedly see this as an opportunity to bring the England international to Anfield.
The report also claims that Liverpool would be willing to offer World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister as part of a potential swap deal.
However, both Bellingham and Real Madrid are adamant that the midfielder will remain in Spain.
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Speaking to Marca earlier this year, Bellingham explained how Real Madrid was the "perfect club" and said he wants to stay for the next 10 to 15 years.
Meanwhile, Mac Allister is one of several Liverpool players to have struggled this season following last year's Premier League title triumph.
The Argentine struggled with injuries over the summer and entered the campaign lacking match fitness.
He played the full 90 minutes in Sunday's 2-0 victory over West Ham United - the first time he has completed three consecutive full games since April.