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Liverpool transfer target Jude Bellingham remains the club’s ‘top priority’ in the market, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Lowdown: Liverpool’s midfield issues
Jurgen Klopp is tasked with reshaping the Reds’ midfield, with several player’s contracts set to expire in the summer. Meanwhile, captain Jordan Henderson is now 32, and a suitable long-term replacement will be needed.
A recent report from The Athletic details that a move for Bellingham may hinge upon Fenway Sports Group selling a minority stake and the new investors injecting large sums of money into the club, with a deal currently considered difficult to pull off.
The Latest: Bellingham is Liverpool’s “priority”
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Romano claimed that a number of clubs could still win the race for the Borussia Dortmund star’s signature, which is very much “open”.
He outlined: “We know the top priority for Liverpool is Jude Bellingham. But Real Madrid and Manchester City are also there, so the race is absolutely open. Nothing will be decided in a few hours or days for Bellingham. It takes time.”
The Verdict: Champions League football needed
The Reds’ pursuit of the 19-year-old is another example of just how vital it is to secure Champions League football, as a player of his calibre would unlikely be willing to settle for anything less than playing in the continent’s elite club competition.
Hailed as ‘sensational‘ by Gary Lineker for his performances at the 2022 World Cup and runner-up in the Kopa Trophy the previous year, the starlet can be considered a generational talent. He is ranked by Sofascore as Borussia Dortmund’s best performer in the Bundesliga this season, boasting an average match rating of 7.43.
The midfielder particularly specialises in his ability to get on the ball and drive at opposition defences, as indicated by an average of 1.7 dribbles completed per 90 over the past year, ranking him in the 96th percentile compared to his positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues.
Liverpool have a real uphill battle in the race for the Premier League top four, given that they are ten points adrift of Manchester United, but if they do manage to bridge that gap in the second half of the season, Bellingham would be an unbelievable summer signing to pursue.
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