Liverpool may have succumbed to fan pressure and signed a midfielder on deadline day, but Jurgen Klopp still has £100M target top of his wish-list.
The Reds may have signed Arthur Melo on a season-long loan but he is a short-term fix at best, a temporary solution to their current injury woes.
Long-term, Klopp will need to address his midfield, given Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all out of contract next summer.
Considering that Jude Bellingham is their number one target for next summer, it makes sense that Liverpool will wait for the right time before going all-in on their £100M star target.
🥇| Jude Bellingham top’s Klopp’s wish list and Liverpool hope to sign the £100million-rated England international next year. [@JamesPearceLFC] pic.twitter.com/RKLsuXbLq2
— Anfield Edition (@AnfieldEdition) September 1, 2022
Jude Bellingham next summer?
All reports point to Bellingham for Liverpool and the Athletic’s James Pearce echoed that point claiming “Bellingham top’s Klopp’s wish list and Liverpool hope to sign the £100million-rated England international next year.”
The Borussia Dortmund midfielder was always set to stay at the club this summer, given they had just let their talisman Erling Haaland leave for City. Plus, another year of consistent football will help him continue his development.
It was Henry Winter, the chief Football writer at the Times Sport who claimed on Twitter that “I’m looking forward to seeing Bellingham at LFC next year.”
Every elite club in Europe will be licking their lips at the thought of signing Bellingham, and Real Madrid could emerge as key rivals for his signature, given they see him as the perfect Luka Modric replacement.
Worried about your perspective if you think they are similar players, Jack. I’m looking forward to seeing Bellingham at LFC next year, just hope Dele regains his drive wherever.
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) August 25, 2022
What will Liverpool’s squad look like next year
Given the three players out of contract next summer, it’s likely Liverpool will say farewell to someone midfielder next summer. Plus, taking into account the injury-prone nature of Thiago and the advancing age of Jordan Henderson and suddenly Liverpool’s midfield three is in dire need of an upgrade.
The reports all point towards Bellingham next summer, who will be ready to leave Dortmund by then. However, the main issue is that they will by no means have a free run at the player.
Real Madrid is said to be targeting the Englishman, and we wouldn’t rule out Manchester City either. The Reds will have to ensure they don’t miss out on their main target like they did with Aurélien Tchouaméni earlier this summer.
Liverpool can still target the likes of Konrad Laimer who is out of contract next summer, but all eyes will be on Jude.
