Premier League giants Liverpool are in a pole position to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham next summer.
According to Mirror, Liverpool are leading the race to sign Jude Bellingham. The Borussia Dortmund starlet has emerged as the top target for Jurgen Klopp, who is keen on bolstering his midfield options and is now prepared to raid his former club.
Bellingham is expected to be priced at £90 million, which is higher than what Manchester United paid for Jadon Sancho in the summer. As it stands, it may also be higher than Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Manchester United target Erling Haaland could command, with the Norwegian reportedly having a £64 million release clause that can be activated next summer.
Liverpool’s interest in Bellingham stems from the club’s growing issues in midfield. The long-serving duo of Jordan Henderson and James Milner isn’t getting any younger, while the likes of Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have both struggled with injuries in the past. On top of that, Thiago Alcantara is facing an uncertain future at the club amid interest from Barcelona.
It has compelled Klopp to look into the market for potential reinforcements. While the German hasn’t historically raided his former club, Dortmund, in the past, it appears he has taken a particular liking for Bellingham due to the maturity he has shown during the early phase of his career.
Formerly of Birmingham City, the youngster has already notched up 67 competitive appearances for Dortmund. Under Marco Rose, in particular, he has become an ever-present figure in midfield this season, making quite an impression with his tactical versatility, aggression and determination that is quite rare for anyone his age.
The 18-year-old’s exploits in the Bundesliga have not gone unnoticed either, with England head coach Gareth Southgate already handing him ten caps so far. He appears to be one of the favourites to seal a spot in the England team for next year’s World Cup.
At the same time, Bellingham’s success has also made him a target for multiple clubs across Europe. In addition to Liverpool, the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United have been linked with the Dortmund sensation. But the Reds do have the upper hand as they are willing to match Dortmund’s £90 million price tag. It would essentially make the teenager the club’s biggest investment, ahead of Virgil van Dijk.
However, it appears unlikely that the Bundesliga giants will be keen on offloading Bellingham anytime soon, especially as they brace themselves for the potential departure of Haaland next summer. The player himself is happy in Dortmund and has become a cult hero at the Signal Iduna Park. So Liverpool may have to play the waiting game in order to get their hands on the youngster.
