According to reports, Liverpool is in a strong position to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham before Chelsea.
Since his debut in the Birmingham City first team at the age of just 16, Bellingham has been on the short list of elite European clubs.
Dortmund outperformed Man United in the initial race for his services despite strong interest from United. 2020 saw the central midfielder’s £25 million transfer to Germany.
Over two years on, Europe’s elite are once again circling. But while Liverpool has been heavily linked with the 19-year-old England international, the likes of Real Madrid, Chelsea, and United again are also said to be keen on signing him.
The Daily Mail reported last month that Real saw Bellingham as the long-term successor to Luka Modric, and was ‘desperate’ to bring him to the Bernabeu.
But Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool’s owners, FSG, have been planning for the potential signing of the 19-year-old, with German outlet Bild claiming they have set €100m (£86m) aside to bring the player to Anfield.
Despite this, the same report claims that Dortmund would want closer to £130m, because of the interest shown by other clubs.
New reports, however, suggest that Liverpool may have advanced their position in the race to sign Bellingham.
Jude Bellingham to Liverpool?
ESPN reported that as per ‘multiple sources’, Liverpool is now back in pole position in their chase for the England international.
It is said that the main reason behind this is that the Reds are forming a ‘close relationship’ with the player’s camp.
Furthermore, Bellingham could leave Dortmund in January. However, the only stumbling block for the Reds may be the cost, which has now reportedly risen to €150m.
The issue Liverpool likely have is that this figure is higher than the previously reported amount that they were willing to pay for the 19-year-old. But this is an opportunity to sign one of the top wonderkids on the planet, and one Liverpool may not be able to resist.
With the World Cup taking place this month, signing the player in January would be ideal for Klopp and his side as they enter a busy fixture schedule from Boxing Day until the end of the season.
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