Liverpool are competing with Real Madrid for the signature of Jude Bellingham, according to The Athletic. 

The lowdown

The Premier League giants have identified the 19-year-old as their top target for the 2023 summer transfer window, as per James Pearce.

The Englishman is currently 'rated' at £100m, so he could break Liverpool's transfer record. That is currently the £75m that they paid to sign Virgil van Dijk in 2018, although this summer's recruitment of Darwin Nunez may overtake that figure if add-ons are activated.

Liverpool have already lost to Real Madrid in the race for one midfielder, with Aurelien Tchouameni choosing to join Los Blancos over the Reds earlier this year.

The latest

Journalist Jay Harris shared the latest on the battle for Bellingham's signature in a piece for The Athletic.

He claimed that, as things stand, it is Liverpool and Real Madrid who are 'jostling to sign him' in 2023.

The verdict

This is a big update from The Athletic.

Journalist Pete O'Rourke told GiveMeSport that 'all top European clubs' will be in the race for Bellingham, but it seems that Liverpool and Real Madrid are the two clubs who have stolen a march on the rest.

It's little wonder that the former Birmingham City man is so coveted. In 2020/21, he was named the Bundesliga's Newcomer of the Season, and he made the league's Best XI the following year. He provided a highly impressive 14 assists in all competitions last season, scoring six goals as well.

At the age of 19, he has already racked up 15 senior caps for his country, along with making 17 appearances in the Champions League. That is a marker of just how special a talent he truly is, and what a coup it would be for Liverpool if they can see off Real Madrid in the transfer race.