Hey, Jude 2.0: Real Madrid want to sign the ‘new Bellingham’

Jude Bellingham is one of Real Madrid's biggest stars, with the Englishman in his second season after a highly successful first campaign in the Spanish capital. That doesn't stop president Florentino Pérez, however, from exploring the market to discover the 'new Bellingham'.

According to Pasión Futból, Real Madrid's president wants to sign Sunderland prodigy Chris Rigg, who has impressed in the Championship this season.

At just 17, Rigg is already having an impact at Sunderland, scoring the winner in a 1-0 home win against Middlesbrough, helping his side to second place in the standings behind West Brom.

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Pasión Futból describes Grigg as a player with "technical ability, physicality, and maturity beyond his years", qualities that Jude Bellingham also possesses.

In his short career, Grigg has made 32 appearances for Sunderland's first team, finding the back of the net on four occasions. This season, he's been a starter in Sunderland's five out of six games in the Championship.

His excellent performances have caught the attention from a number of European giants, with Pep Guardiola's Manchester City reportedly interested in bringing Grigg to the Etihad.

Real Madrid and City are reportedly facing competition from Chelsea and Liverpool, making the race for Grigg fierce.

But despite his obvious qualities, a move to Europe's top could prove too soon for Grigg, who can gain some valuable experience outside the spotlights at the Stadium of Light. And as things stand, he could well be playing in the Premier League next season.

That said, Grigg's current deal at Sunderland runs until mid-2027, with Transfermarkt putting a €9 million (£7.52m/$10.06m) price tag on his head.

Whatever happens in the near future, Grigg's future looks bright. Will he follow in the footsteps of Jude Bellingham?

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