Former Premier League striker Kevin Campbell has backed Liverpool to win the race to sign Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Jude Bellingham.
The lowdown: Big admirers
Signed as a 17 year-old for £30million in 2020 (BBC), Bellingham had already made 44 senior outings for Birmingham before making the switch to Germany.
Since arriving in the Bundesliga the mercurial youngster has been a smash hit for Jurgen Klopp's former side, making 89 senior showings and already becoming a fully-fledged England international.
Given the ever-burgeoning reputation, the Reds, alongside other potential suitors, have been perennially credited with a long-standing admiration for the 19-year-old midfielder and are expected to step up their pursuit next summer...
The latest: Pulling power
Speaking to Football Insider, former Everton frontman and regular talkSPORT contributor Campbell has suggested that Liverpool have the wherewithal to fend off interest from all comers for Bellingham.
He said: “Listen, to come back to England for a club like Liverpool would appeal to Jude Bellingham I’m sure.
“The question is, what kind of feeling does he have towards Real Madrid. Real Madrid has that mystery. They are a juggernaut of a club. When a Real Madrid comes in, it is very difficult for players to turn them down.
“Bellingham might want to come back. If he wants to come back to England I’m sure there will be a lot of clubs interested. Liverpool would be in pole position if he does. There is only a few teams he could come back to. It would be a good move for Liverpool. It has been talked about for 18 months or so now.
“Bellingham is at Dortmund as well, Klopp has very good links there. I’m sure he has been well studied.”
The verdict: Marquee signing
Truly a transformational signing for almost any team in world football for potentially the next decade, any European superpower worth its salt will be interested in signing the 15-cap revelation when the time arises.
Last season, Bellingham - who was branded a 'generational talent' by journalist Darren Lewis earlier this year - scored six times and provided 14 assists in 43 appearances across all competitions, once again showcasing an ability to influence games at the highest level.
Whilst Jurgen Klopp is currently relatively well-stocked in terms of midfield options, Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Thiago are all either in or approaching the twilight of their respective careers and therefore the next major expenditure from FSG, spearheaded by Julian Ward, should be on the £72million valued English teenager.
Albeit often labelled as frugal operators in the market, the Anfield ownership group have been winning to splash out on eye-watering outlays such as the £76.19million for Virgil van Dijk and the recent £67million expenditure to bring Darwin Nunez from Benfica, a category of deal Bellingham would certainly justify being involved in.