Bellingham future ‘probably lies’ in Liverpool despite ‘threat’ as PSG chief admits interest

Joe Williams
Liverpool target Jude Bellingham celebrates

Paris Saint-Germain chief executive Nasser Al-Khelaifi has revealed his interest in signing Liverpool target Jude Bellingham.

The Borussia Dortmund midfielder has been the subject of intense speculation in recent months with people guessing his future destination for much longer.

Bellingham has been impressing for Dortmund in the Bundesliga and has now taken his strong performances to the international stage too, becoming one of England’s standout players at the World Cup.

The England international has quickly established himself as one of the best midfielders in Europe after leaving Championship side Birmingham City in July 2020 to pursue Champions League football at Dortmund.

Even then Bellingham had numerous admirers, with Manchester United one of the clubs interested in his services at the time, but now it feels like the 19-year-old has the whole of Europe looking to sign him.

Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid have been the three clubs with the strongest intentions but Al-Khelaifi admits PSG are interested too.

When asked about Bellingham, Al-Khelaifi told Sky News: “What a player. Honestly, England are lucky to have him… and he’s one of the best players in the tournament. Amazing and you see his first World Cup – calm and relaxed and confident.”

On whether PSG were interested in his signature, Al-Khelaifi added: “Everyone wants him. I’m not going to hide it. But I respect he’s in his club and, respect if we want to talk to him, we talk to the club first.”

Sport Bild (via Sport Witness) claim that the ‘transfer poker’ surrounding Bellingham’s future will ‘really pick up speed’ when he returns from the World Cup with the German publication claiming his future ‘probably lies’ at Liverpool.

The Premier League side are said to be the ‘clear favourite’ to sign Bellingham with Liverpool the midfielder’s ‘number one transfer target’.

Bellingham’s father reckons a move to Anfield would be the ‘right step’ for his son with the main ‘threat’ to a possible move now seen to come from his ‘value-enhancing’ World Cup performances.

Talks with Liverpool are understood to be ‘very far along’ but Bellingham’s displays do put Dortmund in a stronger negotiating position.

Former players have been waxing lyrical over Bellingham at the World Cup with former Manchester United defender Gary Neville claiming the Dortmund youngster is “everything in one”.

“It’s very rare you see a midfield player as comfortable in his own half as in the attacking half,” Neville told ITV Sport. “He looks like he can do absolutely everything. Is he a holding player, an attacking player?

“He’s everything in one. Physically he’s fantastic, so young but it’s the composure, maturity and fearlessness I can’t get my head around. I watched players play for England for many years, the weight of the shirt was enormous. He just doesn’t feel it at all, he looks like he belongs out there, like he wants it and needs it in his life.”

READ MORE: Which club will sign Jude Bellingham? The whys and why nots for Liverpool, Man Utd, Real and others…