Liverpool are 'leading the race' to sign Borussia Dortmund and England star Jude Bellingham in the summer, according to reliable CBS journalist Ben Jacobs.
The Lowdown: Endless Bellingham rumours
The 19-year-old's stock couldn't be any higher currently, having caught the eye for England at the 2022 World Cup as well as having his best ever domestic season, with seven goals in 20 games across the Bundesliga and Champions League.
Constant reports have claimed that Bellingham will leave Dortmund at the end of the season, and Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid have arguably stood out as the favourites to snap him up.
It looks set to be a huge battle to sign the midfielder and the Reds will surely be desperate to get a deal over the line.
The Latest: Fresh update emerges
Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jacobs claimed that Liverpool remain the front-runners to snap up Bellingham this summer, contrary to recent reports claiming Madrid have moved in front:
"I do think that Liverpool are leading the race for Bellingham.
"They’re going to have competition, but I think that there’s a cautious optimism on the Liverpool front that, because they started earlier than most and because they have put in a lot of legwork and they’ve been very hands-on, they believe that they’ve done all they can at this point in the race to make progress and land Jude Bellingham.
"Then we’ll wait and see how other suitors move and how that affects the situation."
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The Verdict: Feels increasingly likely
It does genuinely feels as though Liverpool are the most likely club to sign Bellingham, although a top-four finish could be crucial in order for it to happen.
The teenager, dubbed "incredible" by Erling Haaland, feels like the absolute perfect fit for Jurgen Klopp's side, possessing the team ethic that the German wants in his players, not to mention great technical ability and intelligence.
Midfield is Liverpool's weak point at the moment - a new addition is badly needed in January - but Bellingham is somebody who can transform that area, having been compared to the dominant greats like Roy Keane and Steven Gerrard by none other than Gary Neville.