An expert in football finance has claimed Jude Bellingham‘s relationship with Laura Celia Valk could prove to be of huge value to Real Madrid – but the Mail can reveal that all is not what it seems when it comes to their ‘romance’.
After arriving from Borussia Dortmund last summer, Bellingham has proven an instant hit in the Spanish capital.
In his first season in LaLiga, Bellingham netted 19 goals and provided six assists as Carlo Ancelotti‘s side topped the table to secure a record-extending 36th league title.
Bellingham also got his first taste of European success as Madrid defeated his former club Borussia Dortmund at Wembley to be crowned Champions League winners.
But it’s not just his impact on the pitch that brings massive earning potential.
The 20-year-old has supposedly been dating Dutch model Laura Celia Valk for several months
Dr Rob Wilson claimed the pair’s relationship is comparable to that of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce
According to one expert Bellingham’s relationship with Dutch model Valk brings with it opportunities for ‘co-activation’ similar to that of American power couple NFL tight end Travis Kelce and pop superstar Taylor Swift.
‘Bellingham is quite similar to Travis Kelce in that way with Taylor Swift, there is an alignment and exposure.’ Football finance expert Dr Rob Wilson told Saxo.
‘From a brand alignment, it would be interesting to see if they ever do any co-activation, where they are both involved in promotion, but there will be a lot of off-field work as well.
‘There will also be a natural increase in the level of exposure to brands like PrettyLittleThing as a result of the indirect association.
‘The really smart commercial people will be looking at that and thinking, PrettyLittleThing is a really well thought of brand, as are Real Madrid, there might be a chance of some co-activation. It could be worth millions for Bellingham and Real Madrid.’
However, the Mail on Thursday revealed the mystery surrounding their ‘romance’ – because they don’t appear to be in a relationship at all.
Instead, weeks of rumours were prompted by a publicity stunt orchestrated by an opportunistic executive at Manchester-based clothing company Pretty Little Thing, where Ms Valk is a model.
It was at a glamourous lingerie photoshoot in Madrid that she apparently confided in make-up artists and hairdressers that she and Bellingham, 20, had got close.
Valk has been absent from Bellingham’s England games at the Euros and the Mail revealed the mystery surrounding their ‘romance’ – as they don’t appear to in a relationship at all
Weeks of rumours were prompted by a publicity stunt orchestrated by an executive at Manchester-based clothing company Pretty Little Thing, where Ms Valk is a model
In details believed to have been leaked by the firm to a red top newspaper, Ms Valk, 25, was said to be ‘completely smitten’ and had spent time at his home in the Spanish city where he plays for Real Madrid.
While neither party has commented on reports of a relationship, two months on from Ms Valk’s photoshoot the pair still haven’t been seen together and there are claims that Bellingham is still on the exclusive dating app Raya.
A source close to Pretty Little Thing said that when bosses overheard that she knew Jude, an employee at the company contacted the newspaper.
‘It was one of those rumours that grew legs and there doesn’t seem to be an awful lot to it. But what was evident from the leak is that it got Pretty Little Thing a lot of publicity.
‘The story that Laura and Jude were dating went everywhere, and each time the story was repeated, PLT got a mention. It’s quite clever, really.
‘The world has been waiting for a glimpse of Laura but it doesn’t look like that is going to happen, she seems to be doing her own thing in Paris and having a jolly old time, too.’
Bellingham’s impact on the pitch has been unquestionable and according to one expert he could soon eclipse future teammate Kylian Mbappe as the sport’s most valuable star
‘Bellingham has the potential to exceed Ronaldo and Messi in terms of marketability.’ Wilson continued.
‘If we had this conversation in ten years’ time and Bellingham continues his trajectory with Real Madrid, then I think he will surpass Mbappe considerably.
Wilson added Bellingham could ‘surpass’ Kylian Mbappe as the most valuable footballer
‘They are at the beginning of that journey; Mbappe would be more established than Bellingham as he has been around for a little bit longer, but the potential for both players would be significantly more than the transfer fee that you would need to sign either of them.
‘Mbappe is worth more now than Bellingham, but the England midfielder has a degree more marketability about him and he is in the earlier part of his career as well.’
