PREMIER LEAGUE
Jude Bellingham transfer boost for Real Madrid as Liverpool drop down the queue
According to The Athletic, Borussia Dortmund have no intention of selling star man Bellingham, which would drive up any potential transfer fee.
There is absolutely no doubt that Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham is one of the world’s most sought-after young players and Liverpool have perhaps been most strongly linked with a move to sign him. However, The Athletic report that the Premier League club have slipped to the back of the queue for the England international, which will be a big boost for other interested parties, including Real Madrid, who knocked the Reds out of the Champions League last week.
The Athletic’s football correspondent David Ornstein has revealed that Dortmund, who moved ahead of Bayern Munich to the top of the Bundesliga this weekend, have no intention to sell their star asset, who is contracted with the club until 2025. As Bellingham doesn’t have a release clause in his contract, any potential suitor looking to prise him away from Signal Iduna Park will have to splash serious amounts of cash to do so.
Who is the favourite to sign Bellingham from Dortmund?
The issue for Liverpool is, of course, that they are not the only ones looking to do a deal. Madrid and Premier League rivals Manchester City are also keen to add Bellingham to their midfield, which means a bidding war is likely to ensue if the teenager is to move in the summer, and perhaps even any time before his contract runs out. The Athletic say that Liverpool owners FSG won’t be willing to get involved if the transfer fee is driven up by the interest from other clubs, who have significant financial power. So while the Reds’ interest remains and things could yet change, it appears as if Madrid and City have jumped to the front of the queue.
Liverpool’s battle to qualify for the Champions League
Liverpool’s case wouldn’t be helped by them not qualifying for the Champions League next season, both in terms of finances and attracting new talent to the club. And that is a realistic danger, as things sand. Jürgen Klopp’s side currently sit seven points adrift of the top four, although they do have two games in hand over Tottenham Hotspur, who occupy the final Champions League spot but aren’t in great form at the moment.
Since moving to Germany, Bellingham has played 22 games in the competition, scoring six goals. He has also set several ‘youngest player’ records, including the youngest English player to start and score in the Champions League, the youngest player to start 10 matches in the tournament and the youngster to score in consecutive matches.