Major development in Bellingham transfer saga as journalist reveals London meeting

The father of Liverpool target Jude Bellingham has met with Real Madrid chiefs in London, according to a bombshell new report.

Europe's top clubs are chasing the signature of the Borussia Dortmund midfielder, with both Liverpool and Real heavily linked with the player throughout this season.

The 19-year-old's contract at Signal Iduna Park expires in 2025, but Dortmund chiefs are still keen to convince him to extend that deal.

According to German outlet Bild (via journalist Jan Aage Fjortoft), the German club are said to have a '50/50' chance of keeping Bellingham, having reportedly offered him a pay raise of €9 million on his €6 million-a-year deal.

But the lure of Anfield or the Bernabeu could prove too much for Bellingham to turn down. And a fresh report claim Real are speaking to the player's father, Mark, in London.

Bellingham father reportedly meets Real chiefs

According to journalist Santi Aouna, of French outlet Foot Mercato, a meeting between Mark Bellingham and Real director of international football Juni Calafat has been scheduled.

The report claims that talks are already 'underway' between the two parties, with Calafat set to present Real's 'project' for the 19-year-old wonderkid.

Midfielders Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are out of contract at the Bernabeu this summer, although Modric is said to have expressed his desire to remain at the club for a further year. Kroos has publicly confirmed he is in talks with the club over his future.

And according to Spanish outlet MARCA, Real boss Carlo Ancelotti has expressed that the veteran trio of Modric, Kroos and Karim Benzema remain the 'backbone' of his side.

Meanwhile, the Daily Mail claimed last week that Los Blancos could delay a move for Bellingham until 2024, when they can offer him a larger salary. If Modric has left the club by then, the Dortmund star could be his long-term replacement.

That would not be good news for Liverpool, who still hold out hope of bringing Bellingham to Anfield to revitalise Jurgen Klopp's midfield.