Liverpool have held a long-term interest in Jude Bellingham with reports claiming the club expect to sign the Borussia Dortmund wonderkid next summer. However, they may have now been dealt a setback in their pursuit of the player.
What’s the latest?
According to popular Spanish news outlet Marca, Real Madrid are interested in signing Bellingham next summer after selling Casemiro to Manchester United last week.
As per the report, Los Blancos are planning to use the money made on the transfer and the funds saved on the Brazilian’s wages to make an attractive offer for the Bundesliga youngster this time next year.
It’s Tchouameni 2.0
The powers at Anfield would likely be prepared for other clubs to present themselves as potential suitors for the player over the coming months, but Liverpool will be wary of Real Madrid after a similar scenario unfolded out of their favour with Aurelien Tchouameni earlier this summer.
Liverpool like to get their business done early, so it was no surprise when the club made their first move for young Tchouameni back in May before the Champions League final clash against Carlo Ancelotti’s side, with the player even reportedly agreeing personal terms with both finalists.
Unfortunately, the Frenchman made the choice to move to La Liga, signing for Real Madrid a few weeks later and Jurgen Klopp will now be hoping that the Bellingham deal is not heading for a similar fate.
It would be a huge blow to the Reds’ midfield transfer plans, with James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all out of contract in June 2023, and with no signings made to strengthen the injury-ridden central positions this summer, it will be a huge risk for Liverpool to miss out on the talented youngster.
With Jordan Henderson now 32 years old, the signing of the £127m-rated Dortmund “machine” – in the words of ESPN editor David Cartlidge – would be the perfect heir for the Anfield skipper and could become the focal point in the midfield for years to come.
The 19-year-old England international ranks in the top 5% of his positional peers in the top five European leagues for completed dribbles, touches and progressive passes received, and ranks in the top 15% for shot-creating actions and shots on goal, proving that he’s a fantastic progressive pressing midfielder that would fit seamlessly in at Liverpool.
With that being said, FSG and Klopp will need to do plenty to convince Bellingham to make the move to Merseyside next year, because losing out on such a fantastic talent could be a big blow for the club and their plans for the future.