Liverpool will be 'in the conversation to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham this summer, according to The Athletic's James Pearce.
The lowdown: Meteoric rise
Having moved to Germany from Birmingham City as a fledgling teenager, Bellingham has enjoyed a phenomenal rise to stardom in the Bundesliga and beyond.
The 19-year-old England international has already made 89 appearances for Dortmund, including 16 in the Champions League, after 44 outings for his boyhood club.
Unsurprisingly, the upwards trajectory of the stock of Bellingham has led to interest from Anfield along with numerous other top European suitors, and one well-informed source has now shed some light on a potential swoop during the ongoing transfer window...
The latest: 'In the conversation'
Answering questions from supporters as part of the mailbag feature, The Athletic's Liverpool correspondent Pearce has confirmed interest from the Reds in the 19-year-old but outlined the issues which surround making the deal happen.
He said: “Very interested. The England midfielder is a class act and it’s hard to believe he’s only just turned 19. However, he won’t be leaving Borussia Dortmund this summer. Having already sold Erling Haaland to Manchester City, the Bundesliga club don’t intend to lose another star name in the same window.
“There will be serious competition for Bellingham’s signature in 2023. Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester United are also in the race, with reports in Germany this week suggesting it would take €120 million (£103 million) to sign him. Bellingham doesn’t have a release clause and has three years left on his contract.
“Liverpool will certainly be in the conversation and it helps that Bellingham has a good relationship with captain Jordan Henderson from their time together with England.
“I don’t think that fee would scare Liverpool off as you’re talking about a player who could be at the heart of their midfield for a decade. However, the wage demands could be a potential stumbling block.”
The verdict: Break the bank
Very few potential transfers have forced FSG to reach eye-watering levels of expenditure, but the American owners have previously shown a willingness to be flexible in their approach when the time comes.
That has been proven by the captures of Darwin Nunez (£85m), Alisson (£66.9m), Virgil van Dijk (£75m) and the recent new record-breaking contract for Mohamed Salah.
Already a proven elite operator with 34 direct goal involvements at first-team level despite his tender years, Bellingham - who was described as a 'superstar' by former Birmingham teammate Harlee Dean in 2021 - would fit into the category of transformational signings for Jurgen Klopp's squad from the outset, while also potentially being a potential bedrock of the team for many years to come.
Currently earning a reported £49,000 per week at Dortmund (Salary Sport), Liverpool should be confident of reaching an agreement when it comes to personal terms with the 15-cap England sensation, and therefore the seemingly unrealistic transfer could well become a reality.