Liverpool are reportedly ‘growing in confidence’ they will win the race to sign Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Jude Bellingham this summer.
Bellingham had a tough evening at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday as Dortmund were knocked out of the Champions League by Chelsea.
The Blues are one of the many clubs interested in signing the England midfielder, though it is believed that Liverpool, Real Madrid and Manchester City are the current frontrunners.
Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Arsenal have also been linked, plus there is some hope within the Dortmund hierarchy that the player will stay put.
Dortmund director Sebastian Kehl recently admitted that the club are doing everything they can to ensure Bellingham spends at least one more season with them.
Liverpool would probably be the outright favourites to sign the 19-year-old if they weren’t having such a poor season.
A top-four finish looked unlikely a few weeks ago, however, some terrific results – in particular Sunday’s 7-0 win against Manchester United – have made them odds-on with some bookmakers to qualify for the Champions League.
The report claims that the club’s hopes of landing the Dortmund midfielder ‘hinge’ on their bid to qualify for the Champions League.
Playing in the competition will ‘be a decisive factor’ in Bellingham’s next club and competition is expected to be ‘fierce’.
The 19-year-old is expected to be included in England’s squad for their Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine.
Dortmund will apparently ask for at least £125million to sell Bellingham and are willing to give the player a ‘massive pay rise’ to extend his contract which would include a buyout clause, similar to Erling Haaland, who was bought by Manchester City for £51m last summer.
The other report states that Liverpool’s pursuit ‘hinges’ on Champions League football, however, talkSPORT understand that Bellingham could still move to Anfield even if they do not qualify for Europe’s premier competition.
It was reported on Tuesday that Bellingham’s dad met with Real Madrid’s head of recruitment Juni Calafat in London.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that this sort of thing is very normal and should not be of concern to the likes of Liverpool and City.
“It’s absolutely normal to meet when directors are traveling for Champions League,” Romano told CaughtOffside.
“Bellingham’s father is holding meetings every week, same for Borussia director Sebastian Kehl. The crucial point is Bellingham’s decision, and this hasn’t been made yet.”
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