Liverpool players will have held ‘conversations’ with Jude Bellingham over the international break regarding a future move to Anfield, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Cut-price deal available

Despite spending over £80m this summer, recent reports have suggested that FSG are setting aside cash to make a ‘huge-money’ marquee signing in January, and the 19-year-old has been identified as the club’s top target.

Borussia Dortmund value the midfielder at £132m, though there is a chance that Jurgen Klopp’s side could bring him to the Premier League in a cut-price deal, with the Bundesliga giants willing to accept £83m should the fee be paid upfront.

The Latest: Jones’ ‘conversations’ claim

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones insisted that Liverpool’s players who represent England will have spoken to Bellingham about a potential switch whilst on duty last month.

“It’s not unheard of that it happens, I’m not sure that it would have happened this time around. It was a weird England meet-up this time in terms of where everyone’s at in their current season and the plans to try and get into that World Cup squad.

“Trent Alexander-Arnold, for example, has got to be fully focused on even getting into the England squad, let alone trying to convince players in that squad to come and play for his club team. I’m sure conversations happened. But I don’t think that they would have spent much time trying to convince him.”

The Verdict: Massive coup

Bellingham is one of football’s most promising young talents and it would be a massive coup for Klopp if he could land his services.

The England international has been Dortmund’s best-performing player so far this season, earning an average match rating of 7.40, higher than all the rest of his teammates.

The teenager also recently captained Edin Terzic’s side, with leadership qualities being just another attribute that the Liverpool boss will love to have in his starting XI.