Liverpool have received a major boost in their quest to land Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham. The Reds have registered their interest in snapping up the young prodigy to resolve their midfield issues once and for all. They currently have majority of their midfielders on the treatment table, with Thiago, Curtis Jones, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and Naby Keita all sidelined. Further on, Jordan Henderson too has had recurring injury problems of late.
The Merseyside club as a result want Jude Bellingham to join their ranks and dominate the midfield for years to come. However, the task of signing the 19-year-old is not going to be an easy one for the Reds, given many of the Europe’s elite clubs are keeping tabs on his situation. Moreover, Dortmund too will demand a mammoth fee if Bellingham is to leave before his contract expires in 2025. But Liverpool hold a key within their squad to accomplish their Bellingham dream.
Dortmund’s Naby Keita interest could pave way for Jude Bellingham to Liverpool
According to The Express, Borussia Dortmund admire Liverpool’s Naby Keita and fee he could be a perfect fit for their system. Keita has had experience of playing in Germany since Liverpool signed him from RB Leipzig back in 2019 for a massive fee of £54 million. However, he has failed to deliver for Jurgen Klopp’s side, coupled with his long spells on the sidelines due to numerous injuries.
Keita has managed only 11 goals and 7 assists in his 117 games for Liverpool, whereas he enjoyed his time with Leipzig racking up 17 goals and 15 assists in just 71 games. Dortmund plan to bring him back to Germany given his exploits in the Bundesliga. As a result, a potential deal for the 27-year-old between the Merseyside club and Dortmund could pave way for the former to ask for Jude Bellingham.
Liverpool could build a healthy relationship with Klopp’ former side Dortmund on the basis of Keita deal, and use it as a foundation for their Bellingham pursuit. Moreover, a swap deal could also be carved here, although the Reds will still need to pay some cash in order to acquire the teenager.
With Liverpool’s midfield turning old, they certainly need reinforcements in that department for the future. Thiago, Fabinho, Henderson, Milner are all on the wrong side of their 30s, with only Keita, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Curtis Jones yet to breach the 30-year-old mark. However, Keita and Chamberlain’s futures are up in the air and Liverpool need a young, settled player to boss their midfield.
Bellingham has racked up impressive numbers at Dortmund, scoring 11 goals and assisting 19 in 94 games so far. Add to it, the youngster has an experience of competing in English football, having 44 appearances under his belt for Championship side Birmingham City before joining Dortmund.
Jude Bellingham seems a perfect fit for Jurgen Klopp’s system and the German reportedly wants to work with the teenager at Liverpool before his contract expires in 2026. The England international is expected to be on the move next summer, after Erling Haaland made the headlines for Dortmund this time switching sides with Manchester City. However, Keita’s current deal expires in the summer of 2023 and the Reds need to extend him before they can cash in on his sale or include him in a potential swap deal with Dortmund.