Transfer expert Ben Jacobs has revealed the player which will be Liverpool’s top-most priority next summer. The Reds have been linked with PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe, who according to multiple reports has handed in a transfer request. Mbappe had endorsed the Liverpool links when he revealed that he had met with the club over a potential move before joining PSG. However, Jacobs has stated that it is not the 23-year-old who is Liverpool’s prime target, but Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham after whom the club will be next summer.
The Reds need heavy reinforcements in the middle of the park, as it is currently the major area of problem for Jurgen Klopp. A string of injuries to key midfielders in Thiago, Naby Keita and Curtis Jones derailed their start to the season as they sit 10th in the Premier League table. Their panic buy Arthur Melo too suffered a muscle injury in training and has undergone a surgery which will keep him out until 2023. The Reds have as a result prioritised the signing of a top midfielder, with Bellingham their top target.
Liverpool to pass-on Kylian Mbappe after ‘slightly clearer path’ emerges for Bellingham
Kylian Mbappe’s sudden transfer request rocked the footballing world, after the forward had penned a bumper contract extension in May this year. While his potential and preferred destination is Real Madrid, Liverpool too could have a say in this transfer. However, the Reds have already backed themselves insists Jacobs as they want to focus on Jude Bellingham. The 19-year-old is going to be a hot-topic of next summer’s transfer window, as a host of clubs including Real as well are ready to fight for his signature.
Liverpool too have joined in as they eye the midfielder as a long-term leader of their midfield. Their top midfielders at the moment, Thiago, Henderson and Fabinho are all on the wrong side of their 30s as Naby Keita’s injury issues are not unknown. Liverpool feel Bellingham could be their midfield’s face for years to come, but a fee in the excess of £100 million is the only way they can get him. And with Real Madrid chasing Mbappe next summer, Jacobs feels Liverpool could have their competition cut. The CBS Sports journalist on the Done Deal show said:
“[Jude] Bellingham will be Liverpool’s priority over Mbappe at this stage, whereas from Real Madrid’s point of view, let’s say they get Mbappe, they also may not get Bellingham. So if Liverpool want Bellingham and so do Real, and then Real want Mbappe, that actually allows Liverpool a slightly clearer path to Bellingham. Although that is a very open race.”
This could very well be the case since Kylian Mbappe will demand a lot of money as he is currently the world’s best paid footballer. It is difficult to see Real signing both Mbappe and Bellingham who will also demand humongous fees. With Real’s priority being Mbappe, Liverpool could have one less competitor in their Bellingham chase. However, the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and PSG are also keeping tabs on the teenager whose contract expires in 2025.
Bellingham has been on a stupendous rise since joining Dortmund, having accumulated an impressive 104 first-team appearances for the Germans, scoring 15 goals and providing 20 assists. This season however could be the last one he spends at Signal Iduna Park, with Dortmund too anticipating his exit. But after losing Erling Haaland for a mere £54 million this summer, the Bundesliga giants want more than £100 million for Bellingham as confirmed by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.