Liverpool have been told they will have to pay a British all-time transfer record for their star target Jude Bellingham – with reports claiming he will cost around £131M.
The Reds have been heavily linked with a move for the Englishman, who’s become one of Europe’s hottest properties, even at 19 years old.
He has been a key target for years and with Liverpool missing out on Aurélien Tchouaméni this summer, they will look to go all in for the Borussia Dortmund star.
The Athletic have provided exclusive information on the current situation regarding Bellingham and Liverpool fans can become more excited as the report claims the club has been putting the work in behind the scenes for his transfer.
⚡️ “He’s got everything.”
💪 “He’s played on the big occasions already, he’s ready to play.”
🤝 “I hope we can create a special bond in the middle for the next 10 years.”@_DeclanRice is excited about the prospect of playing alongside @BellinghamJude for England pic.twitter.com/NnYdXTsAMT
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) September 21, 2022
“Dortmund are adamant he is valued at around €150million”
According to the Athletic, if Bellingham does push for a move, Dortmund are adamant he is valued at around €150million (£131.6m, $149.4m). That would make him the most expensive British footballer in history should a deal go through.
He has no release clause but next summer, when Liverpool will move for him, he’ll have two years left on his current deal meaning Dortmund do have some bargaining power when it comes to the fee.
Bellingham spoke about his future last week but gave a typically mature and diplomatic answer – “The club (Dortmund) have done loads for me and made me feel very welcome since I first came and gave me the opportunities to develop even further. To look past that and into the future would be disrespectful,”.
There is a fear from the club that Bellingham’s price could skyrocket if he were to have an amazing World Cup with England, but there was simply no chance of securing a deal before the November tournament.
🚨 NEW: Liverpool have already made initial moves to sign Jude Bellingham next summer. There will inevitably be competition for his signature but all parties are aware Liverpool are very keen to do a seal. #lfc [@RealKevinPalmer] pic.twitter.com/EObmCzA3vV
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) September 18, 2022
Why Liverpool didn’t move for a central midfielder this summer
Following missing out on Tchouamani to Real Madrid, Liverpool didn’t move for a midfielder until the very end of the window. This was a forced move in the end because of their injury crisis in midfield.
According to the Athletic, Part of the reluctance to commit funds in August was down to the fact that other targets they wanted, such as Bellingham, simply weren’t available.
Fans were dismayed at the decision not to move for anyone, but it seems the midfield rebuild is scheduled to take place next summer with Bellingham the star target.
With the contracts of James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all up next summer, we could see a real overhaul as the Reds look to hit refresh button on their engine room.
