Liverpool are reportedly already in close contact with Jude Bellingham’s camp and remain ‘very optimistic’ about completing a blockbuster deal for the Borussia Dortmund midfielder in 2023. The Reds are among the favourites to sign Bellingham at the end of the season, and they are taking steps to fend off their heavyweight competition.
Bellingham is expected to be at the centre of a mammoth transfer battle next summer, with Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Real Madrid joining Liverpool as suitors. And despite their reported desire to sell the club, Fenway Sports Group are understood to be determined to fund the 19-year-old’s Anfield arrival.
Liverpool are long-term admirers of Bellingham, and FSG are confident of sealing a deal for Jurgen Klopp’s primary transfer target in 2023 as a potential parting gift. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has also talked up the Premier League giants’ chances of signing him from Dortmund.
He told GiveMeSport: “Liverpool will be in the race, 100 per cent. They’re already in contact with people close to Jude Bellingham, so Liverpool will be there.”
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Man City, United and Real are firmly in the frame and will be ready to use their financial might to attempt to topple Liverpool’s pursuit. However, Bellingham has reportedly told Chelsea he has no interest in joining Todd Boehly’s revolution at Stamford Bridge after the American owner held talks with his father and agent.
Dortmund will be under no pressure to sell one year after offloading their most prized asset, Erling Haaland, for a cut-price fee due to his release clause. Bellingham’s contract at the Westfalenstadion runs until 2025, so any deal would likely see Liverpool break their club transfer record for the second successive summer after splashing £85million on Darwin Nunez.
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Dortmund chief Hans-Joachim Watzke has confirmed the club will hold talks with Bellingham over his future after he has represented England at the World Cup. And he has admitted the Bundesliga outfit won’t be able to compete to keep him if one of Europe’s heavyweights submit a significant offer and he wants a new challenge.
“We will have talks when the World Cup is over. We will ask him if he wants to stay or go. However, if big European clubs come, we can’t afford a big fight financially,” Watzke explained.
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