Bayer Leverkusen's director reveals how the club tried to sign the English star when he was just 16 years old.
Jude Bellingham, now one of the standout players at Real Madrid and widely regarded as one of the brightest stars in world football, has already achieved incredible success at the age of just 21.
Yet, his meteoric rise could have followed a very different path, one that might have included Bayer Leverkusen as a key stop along the way. The young English international, who has quickly established himself as one of the most complete midfielders in the game, was once on the radar of the German club as a promising teenager. However, negotiations stalled, and the transfer never materialized.
Bellingham first caught the attention of the football world as a 16-year-old prodigy playing for Birmingham City in England's Championship. His physical attributes, combined with an advanced footballing intelligence and versatility, set him apart from his peers, and it wasn't long before top clubs across Europe were monitoring his progress. Bayer Leverkusen, known for their sharp eye for young talent, was one of the first clubs to make a serious effort to sign him.
Fernando Carro, Bayer Leverkusen's CEO, recently reflected on how close the club came to signing the future Real Madrid star. "Simon Rolfes [the sporting director] really wanted Jude," Carro explained. "At the time, he was only 16, and after watching several videos of him, we were completely impressed by his abilities." Leverkusen had the backing of their shareholders to make a formal offer for Bellingham, but the club faced a significant hurdle: Birmingham City’s valuation of their young talent.
"We had the shareholders' approval to pay a substantial amount for the transfer, but Birmingham asked for double," Carro recounted. "We couldn’t meet that price, so we decided not to move forward." The deal fell through, and Bayer Leverkusen, despite their early interest, missed the opportunity to bring one of football’s future stars to the BayArena. It’s a decision that likely haunts the club, considering Bellingham's subsequent rise.
Instead, Bellingham made the move to Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2020, joining the Bundesliga side for a reported fee of €25 million, a record for a 17-year-old at the time. The transfer to Dortmund proved to be a pivotal moment in his young career. At Dortmund, Bellingham was given the platform to develop his game at a top European club, playing regularly in one of Europe’s most competitive leagues while also gaining valuable experience in the UEFA Champions League.
In his first season at Dortmund, Bellingham quickly established himself as a key player, displaying maturity far beyond his years. His ability to read the game, break up opposition attacks, and drive forward with the ball made him a standout performer in a talented squad. Not only did Bellingham excel in the Bundesliga, but he also shone on the European stage, becoming one of the youngest players to score in the Champions League knockout stages during Dortmund’s 2020/21 campaign.
His performances in Germany did not go unnoticed, and it wasn’t long before Europe’s elite clubs were once again vying for his signature. Real Madrid, always on the lookout for the next generational talent, identified Bellingham as a key target in their efforts to rebuild their midfield, and they made their move in the summer of 2023. The Spanish giants secured Bellingham’s services for a reported fee of €103 million, one of the highest transfer fees ever paid for a British player.
Since his arrival at Real Madrid, Bellingham has taken his game to even greater heights. His versatility has allowed him to play in various midfield roles, seamlessly fitting into a team brimming with world-class talent. Despite his young age, Bellingham has quickly become one of the leaders on the pitch for Madrid, earning praise from teammates, coaches, and pundits alike for his professionalism and ability to perform in high-pressure situations. His box-to-box style of play, combined with his tactical awareness, has made him a cornerstone of Madrid’s midfield alongside veterans like Luka Modrić and Toni Kroos, as well as rising stars like Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni.
Bellingham’s journey from Birmingham to the Santiago Bernabéu is a testament to his remarkable talent and work ethic. However, it also raises questions about what might have been had Bayer Leverkusen managed to seal the deal back when he was 16. Carro’s reflection on the failed transfer highlights how the club missed out on a potential generational talent, a player who could have had a transformative impact on their fortunes. While Leverkusen has continued to compete at a high level in the Bundesliga, the addition of a player like Bellingham might have taken them to new heights both domestically and in European competitions.
For Bellingham, his decision to join Dortmund rather than Leverkusen proved to be a masterstroke. Dortmund’s reputation for developing young talent and giving them opportunities to play at the highest level was a key factor in his decision, and it paid off handsomely. At Dortmund, Bellingham honed his skills and gained invaluable experience, becoming one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe by the time he made his move to Real Madrid.
As he continues to make his mark in Spain and on the international stage with England, Bellingham’s trajectory seems bound for greatness. Already a regular in Gareth Southgate’s England setup, Bellingham played a crucial role in helping the national team reach the final of Euro 2020 and is widely expected to be a key figure in their future campaigns, including the upcoming World Cup.
Looking back, Bayer Leverkusen can take some consolation in the fact that they identified Bellingham’s potential early on. However, their inability to meet Birmingham City’s demands cost them the chance to sign one of football’s brightest talents. For now, Bellingham’s focus remains firmly on continuing his development at Real Madrid, where he is already writing his name into the club’s storied history.
As his career unfolds, Bellingham’s journey serves as a reminder of the fine margins that often define success in football. A transfer that didn’t happen at 16 might have changed everything, but for Jude Bellingham, each step has only brought him closer to fulfilling his immense potential.
