Liverpool are reportedly unlikely to sign Borussia Dortmund and England star Jude Bellingham, but one journalist has played down the claim.
The Lowdown: Bellingham rumours rife
The future of the 19-year-old has arguably been one of the biggest talking points in football this season, ahead of a likely exit from Dortmund once the summer arrives.
A host of Europe's top clubs are interested in signing Bellingham, from Real Madrid to Manchester City, but Liverpool have arguably been linked more than anyone.
The Reds have reportedly set the England star as their primary summer transfer target, as Jurgen Klopp looks to rebuild his midfield and make him a high-profile addition.
Unfortunately, a negative update has now emerged from a Liverpool perspective, with the ongoing saga taking a fresh twist on Monday morning.
The Latest: Ornstein delivers big update
Taking to Twitter, the reliable Ornstein of The Athletic admitted that the Reds are now down the pecking order in the race to sign Bellingham, with their lack of financial muscle working against them:
"As things stand, Liverpool increasingly unlikely to sign Jude Bellingham this summer. Expected price & financial power of rivals puts #LFC hopes in doubt. Pursuit not off & no firm decisions but sense is #MCFC + #RMFC in stronger position."
Responding to the news, however, journalist Neil Docking took to Twitter to play down the alleged "sudden new" update, questioning whether anything has really changed:
"Bit confused how Jude Bellingham’s expected transfer price being high and Liverpool’s rivals having more financial power than them is a sudden new development."
The Verdict: Massive blow for Liverpool
To describe this as a huge blow for Liverpool is an understatement, with the Reds seemingly at the front of the queue to sign Bellingham for so long now. That is, of course, if this new update proves to be true eventually.
To miss out on him after so much speculation linking him with an Anfield switch would feel disastrous - Carlo Ancelotti has called him a 'great' player - once again raising serious question marks over the ownership of FSG.
If they are unwilling to finance a big-money and potentially record-breaking move for Bellingham this summer, it simply isn't good enough, with their net spending not even close to rival clubs in recent years.
The fact that Liverpool possibly look on the verge of missing out on Champions League football could be another factor, however, with the 22-cap England international and £49,000-a-week midfielder wanting to play in Europe's biggest club competition consistently.
The hope is that the situation changes in the coming months, but this is a major setback for the Reds, ahead of what is one of the most important transfer windows in recent memory. Huge players need to come in, and in Bellingham, they would be acquiring the services of a potential future legend of the game.