Chelsea's reported pursuit of Jude Bellignham has suffered a blow with Liverpool in the front seat to land his signature.
As exclusively revealed by our colleagues over at the Mirror, Liverpool lead the race to sign Bellingham next summer and hope to exploit Premier League rivals’ obsession with Borussia Dortmund team-mate Erling Haaland.
Bellingham was previously courted by Manchester United while at Birmingham City, before moving to Borussia Dortmund in July 2020 for an initial £20million rising to £30million.
But Liverpool are now making plans to bring the teenage midfielder back to the UK. After more than a season of fine displays, the Dortmund man has solidified his position as an England regular, and has already earned 10 caps for his country.
Jurgen Klopp is said to be focused on bringing the 18-year-old into the football club whilst top-flight rivals like United, Chelsea and Manchester City, continue to monitor his Dortmund teammate Haaland, who has a release clause next year.
The Anfield boss' main midfield options include Jordan Henderson, 31, Fabinho, 28, and Thiago Alcantara, 30, all of whom don't have age on their side.
Bellingham is an ideal signing for the future, and he could partner with Liverpool academy graduate Curtis Jones for a long time to come.
However, he would not come cheap, as Dortmund are likely to demand a reported £90million for his services - a fee that hasn't put the club - or Klopp for that matter - off.
It would make Bellingham Liverpool's most expensive ever signing ahead of Virgil Van Dijk , who cost £75million. Bellingham’s former club Birmingham are watching his future closely as they have a lucrative sell-on fee.
