Madrid plays Valladolid on Friday without three key players as Bellingham deal gets closer

Real Madrid‘s return to competitive action is drawing ever nearer, with just one day to go until they take on Real Valladolid in their La Liga return.

Having gone into the mid-season break sitting in second, two points behind leaders Barcelona, Los Blancos will hope to take top spot when face La Pucela on December 30, with Barca taking one city rivals Espanyol one day later.

There will be plenty of optimism among Carlo Ancelotti’s side that they can reclaim their crown this season, despite trailing Barca. However, they will have to do without three key midfielders for the clash against La Pucela according to AS.

Luka Modric, along with French duo Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga, will miss the match on Friday. Having been originally scheduled to return on Wednesday , the trio were absent from training at Valdebabas. Instead, they will be welcomed back later in the week, but it will be too late for the game.

Midfield options will now be limited for Los Blancos. As such, out of favour Dani Ceballos is set to start, alongside Federico Valverde and Toni Kroos. However, they are expected to be at full strength across the rest of the squad.

Elsewhere, the signing of Jude Bellingham has been one that Real Madrid club officials have prioritised for much of this season. Despite heavy interest from Premier League clubs, they could be about to get their man.

The English midfielder is regarded by many as one of the biggest young talents in world football. Since moving to Germany from English Championship side Birmingham City in 2020, Bellingham’s career has gone from strength to strength.

He has established himself as a regular starter of his country, as he starred at the recent World Cup in Qatar.

Along with Real Madrid, numerous Premier League clubs including Manchester City and Manchester United have been interested in bring the 19-year-old back to England.

However, Los Blancos’ biggest competitors from Bellingham’s signature has reported been Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.

With Cody Gakpo set to move to Anfield, Liverpool may struggle to stump up the money required to sign Bellingham. With Real Madrid rumoured to be willing to pay up to €150m for the teenager, as per Sport, they are now considered to be favourites to land his signature.

It’s been an intense battle for Real Madrid in their pursuit of Bellingham, but the signs point forward them finally landing their number one target.