According to renowned Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg, Liverpool are still the favourites to acquire the most in-demand player, Borussia Dortmund’s talisman Jude Bellingham this summer despite competition from Manchester City and Real Madrid. It is quite clear by now that Bellingham is Liverpool’s top-target for the summer, in a bid to refurbish their ‘grey-haired’ midfield with many of their options in that position well beyond the age of 30.
However, the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City had reportedly overtaken Liverpool in the race to sign the 19-year-old prodigy. But Plettenberg has some encouraging news for the Reds’ fans who feared they are going to miss out on another proven talent after Aurelien Tchouameni slipped out of their hands, joining Real last summer. The reliable journalist has claimed that Liverpool are rather ‘favourites’ to sign Bellingham over City and Real.
‘I see him at Liverpool’ – Plettenberg on Bellingham’s next destination
Jude Bellingham has attracted interests from all sides on the solid basis of his 2.5 year Dortmund spell, and then the 2022 FIFA World Cup just served him the biggest stage to showcase his talent to the world. Bellingham shone for England during the World Cup in Qatar last year as well as has scored 10 goals in 23 games in all competitions this season for the Bundesliga side.
The 2022 European Golden Boy award nominee has been in excellent form and offers are flying on for him. With Liverpool currently in ninth place in the Premier League and 10 points adrift of the fourth and final Champions League qualification berth, Klopp has made it clear in January that his squad would be undergoing an open-heart surgery this summer. And Bellingham is Klopp’s top priority. Plettenberg updated on it as he told Sky Germany:
“We all think Bellingham will leave this summer, and that there is no chance Dortmund can keep him at this stage. But he has a contract without a release clause, so the price tag is very high. Dortmund want to have between €100m-€150m for him in the summer.
“There are three targets for him – Real Madrid, Man City and Liverpool. I don’t see Bellingham at Real Madrid, I see him at Liverpool in summer. Liverpool are one of the favourites, and Jurgen Klopp is pushing, pushing, pushing for him and says he is his No 1 transfer target. Klopp hasn’t spoken to Bellingham personally yet, but the conversations have been held with people like Julian Ward. Now they just have to work out who is paying the money.”
Bellingham has often received public praise from Klopp on numerous occasions. Not long ago, just last month the Liverpool boss had labelled the England international’s World Cup efforts as “exceptional”. There’s no hidden approach as the Reds are openly teasing a move for the former Birmingham midfielder. Plettenberg has also added that the ‘legend of Steven Gerrard’, whom Bellingham idolises, could also play a key role in convincing the Dortmund star to arrive at the Merseyside club.
Meanwhile, Bellingham is not Liverpool’s only target to redesign their midfield. Wolves’ Matheus Nunes and Brighton’s Moises Caicedo are also being pursued. There will also be outgoings, with the likes of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner and on loan Arthur Melo be laid-off the club’s roster in the summer. However, the Reds must first concentrate on qualifying for the Champions League, as missing out on the competition will put an end to their Bellingham pursuit.