Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham has been impressing all year for both club and country. The 18-year-old has put in some quality displays in both the Bundesliga and Champions League.
Liverpool are amongst a host of clubs rumoured to be interested in the former Birmingham City youngster, with The Mirror reporting the Reds ‘lead the race’ for his signature. Dortmund are believed to want more than £90 million for the England star.
Jurgen Klopp’s former captain Sebastian Kehl has referenced Liverpool being one of a host of potential suitors for Bellingham. Dortmund’s model is based on signing young talent and selling at a profit, so it seems only a matter of time before he makes a big move.
On the latest episode of our Journo Insight Show, we asked Goal’s Neil Jones on the chances of seeing Bellingham in a red shirt the future.
Neil said:
“I don’t think Klopp cares about the price tag first and foremost. If Liverpool aren’t looking at Jude Bellingham, then someone is not doing their job correctly. I think Jude Bellingham is a no brainer signing for anyone, he has 15 years of high-quality performances [in him] and is potentially one of the best midfielders in the world. I think Liverpool will be looking at Jude Bellingham. I think Liverpool will certainly have their feelers out, as will Chelsea, as will Manchester United, as will Manchester City.
I think there will be a big race for him. Dortmund are probably going to lose Haaland next season. Maybe that will mean they don’t have to sell Bellingham, but I think there’s no question that he will outgrow Dortmund if he hasn’t already, and I don’t think there’s much of a question that he will end up back in the Premier League one day. I would love it to be at Liverpool.”
A talented midfielder with major club and international tournament experience whilst still a teenager, Bellingham should certainly be on Liverpool’s transfer radar. With the likes of Thiago and Jordan Henderson both over 30, Liverpool will need to work on deciding their next generation of midfielders in the next year or so.
The only sticking point would likely be the transfer fee. Like all clubs, Liverpool were badly hit by the pandemic, but cannot rely on the bottomless cash reserves of a middle-Eastern petrostate to boost their transfer coffers. They would have to break their record transfer fee to sign Bellingham, and also fend off the interest of the two Manchester clubs, along with Bayern Munich and Chelsea. This would be no mean feat. FSG could be convinced to spend on the basis that Bellingham is a long-term investment and could play at the top level for another 15 years.
Hopefully the reports are to be believed and Liverpool are in ‘pole position’ for his signature. With any luck, Sebastian Kehl owes Jurgen a few favours from their time together at Dortmund!
