Liverpool boost as main rivals pull out of £130m Bellingham fight ahead of £250m spending spree

Lewis Oldham
Liverpool target Bellingham

Liverpool have been boosted as one of their main rivals have seemingly pulled out of the race to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund this summer.

The Reds are believed to be involved in a fierce fight to sign Bellingham ahead of some of the top clubs in Europe.

Jurgen Klopp is a huge admirer of the midfielder as the Liverpool boss has admitted that he would be “stupid” if he didn’t want to sign him.

The 19-year-old has established himself as one of the best centre-midfielders in the world and he performed superbly for England at his first World Cup last year.

Bellingham has captained Dortmund on several occasions and he has played like a player beyond his years in the Bundesliga and Champions League.

He is under contract until 2025 but Dortmund are expected to cash in on the youngster this summer, with Liverpool keen to sign him.

The English club are keen to refresh their midfield and they are also being linked with Wolves star Matheus Nunes. 

A move for Bellingham is far from simple, but main rivals Real Madrid are seemingly no longer in the running to buy him.

Their manager Carlo Ancelotti has indicated that he plans to “stick with” the midfielders he has instead of signing Bellingham or Enzo Fernandez.

“Bellingham has shown at the World Cup that he is a great midfielder, but so have others,” Ancelotti said (via GOAL).

“Enzo Fernandez has played very well. Gavi and Pedri as well. Bellingham is one of those very good midfielders, but I’ll stick with the ones we have.”

This is an interesting stance for Ancelotti to take publicly, but behind the scenes, he is likely more willing to add Bellingham to his squad.

Liverpool should not get too enthused by these comments, but Gianluca Di Marzio is of the belief that they have a ‘good chance’ of getting Bellingham.

The Italian journalist expects Liverpool to spend £200-250m on signings in the summer.

‘There’s not much in the way of hope that Jude Bellingham will stay at Borussia Dortmund,’ Di Marzio wrote for Caught Offside.

‘There isn’t a clause in his current contract allowing him to leave in the summer but they told him that if there’s a big opportunity for him (ultimately, he has a career plan – that’s why he came to the Bundesliga), he can leave.

‘They have to talk, if he wants to talk. I think they will have to talk. I noted on Twitter a few weeks ago that his father is very keen on the prospect of his boy going to Liverpool.

‘I don’t think a January exit will happen, Dortmund doesn’t like to do that. Money will be the main point for Liverpool but don’t forget about Real Madrid, as they have more at the moment.

‘I heard in Liverpool that Jürgen Klopp really wants him.

‘We call him a ‘mancatcher’ – if he wants to pursue a person, he can do that but he also has to pursue the club. I heard the club has about £200-250m that they want to spend in the summer, so there’s a good chance they get Bellingham.’

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