Liverpool are reportedly close to reaching an agreement to sign England international Jude Bellingham.
The Borussia Dortmund youngster is currently one of the most sought-after players in the world after a breakthrough season in the Bundesliga and his performance for the Three Lions in the ongoing World Cup in Qatar.
Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Liverpool have all been credited with an interest in the 19-year-old.
However, according to recent reports, Jürgen Klopp’s side have won the race for Bellingham, who is said to prefer a move to Anfield.
This is according to Sport Bild correspondent Christian Falk, who reports that Bellingham’s exit next year is inevitable and says his family and agent are “really focused” on moving to the Premier League club.
Speaking to The Anfield Wrap via This Is Anfield, the German journalist said;
“We’re [the Bundesliga] going to lose Bellingham like Haaland next summer, it’s getting closer and closer.
“You heard the news. You will have heard that Bellingham and Liverpool are very, very close.
“There have been many, many talks. His father Mark, and mother Denise are in the negotiations together with his agent Mark Bennett, they are really focused on Liverpool.”
However, Falk also reports that “the only problem” is that Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund are not close on their valuation.
“The only problem could be money,” Falk said.
“This is the thing – I don’t know how far Liverpool are in this case with Dortmund.
“This will be an advantage for City, for Chelsea, who are also in the race. But we heard clearly – if Bellingham can decide it, it’s Liverpool.
“He has no clause [in his contract]. So €150 million is at the moment, the point. I think that’s about £130 million, I guess.
“And I heard Liverpool would pay, at the moment, €100 million – which is about 86 million in sterling. So I’m not sure if they find a solution so early.
“Perhaps the Fenway group is selling the club, the new owner makes a present to supporters – then it would be easier!”
Falk also added that even if Liverpool misses out on Champions League football next season that Bellingham would be happy to join them.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have not enjoyed the strongest of starts to 2022-23 and could miss out on Champions League football as a result given that they sit outside of the top six.
“It’s not an easy decision, but Liverpool is bigger than the Champions League,” he added.
“I think for one year, that’s not a problem for him.”
Asked if he thought Bellingham would move to Liverpool, Falk said that his gut feeling was that the teenager will be a Liverpool player next season.
He continued: “I think it will happen, but in the end, it’s the point of the player and the point of Liverpool.
“It’s a question of money. If Liverpool can’t pay Dortmund, it will get difficult because, in the end, he has a contract, and if they can’t find a solution with the transfer fee, that’s the point where Real Madrid can knock again, Chelsea can knock again, and especially City can knock again because Pep Guardiola is also a man who can talk to players very well.”
