Liverpool have made Jude Bellingham their top target next summer as Jurgen Klopp looks to secure an £80million deal, according to reports.
The Daily Star report that the Reds are very interested in pursuing a deal for the 18-year-old midfielder next summer, amid links with Chelsea.
A report from Goal in June this year stated that the Blues have been interested in Bellingham for a long time, but he still has around four years remaining on his contract at Borussia Dortmund.
With Liverpool now said to be interested, this could be a big blow to Chelsea, with the Merseyside club reportedly winning the race for his signature.
Bellingham only moved to Dortmund last summer and since joining the German club, he has gone on to establish himself as one of the brightest talents in world football.
Such form from the England international has seen similarities in his play drawn to Chelsea legend Frank Lampard and Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard, but the teenager is not interested in such comparisons.
When asked about the comparisons to Lampard and Gerrard by Sportbuzzer, he replied: "I'm the first Jude Bellingham, and I don't want to be compared with Gerrard or Lampard.
"They were undoubtedly great players, but I have other qualities. I'm a different player and a different person."
His former Dortmund colleague Jadon Sancho, who has recently signed for Manchester United, thinks Bellingham has all the credentials to become one of the best players in European football in the future.
“The sky is the limit for the guy,” Sancho told England’s official YouTube channel.
“He is a great footballer, he is mature for his age, which is very surprising. I think when I was 18, I was not that mature at all!
“Being at a major tournament for England, especially, is a very big thing. As you can see, he’s coming on and doing his role for the team.
“He deserves it. As I said before, the sky is the limit for him and if he keeps on doing well then he can reach the top of his ability. I hope that happens.”
If Chelsea's reported long-term interest in Bellingham is genuine, then the west London club may want to ensure they do not lose a possible successor to Lampard to Premier League rivals Liverpool next summer.
