Everton winger Andros Townsend has warned Jude Bellingham against a Premier League move amid interest from Liverpool.
The Borussia Dortmund midfielder looks set to be the most in-demand player of the summer transfer window, with Jurgen Klopp's Reds set to battle the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea for his signature. The 19-year-old's value rose further on Monday when his deft header opened the scoring in England 6-2 World Cup win over Iran.
Bellingham's foray into the box for that effort - his first for the Three Lions - was proof that the energetic midfielder has added a new goalscoring layer to his game. At Dortmund this season, he has nine goals across all competitions, including four in five Champions League appearances.
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But, speaking to TalkSPORT, Townsend has warned that a move to the Premier League could bring with it media pressure, should he not replicate that form instantly - and the Everton man pointed to Paul Pogba and Jack Grealish as warning signs.
“I’d say stay there [in Germany] a bit longer," Townsend said. "If he comes to the Premier League then he will be £150million and will have a similar effect to Paul Pogba. Bellingham scores goals but his main threat is not scoring goals.
“If he comes to the Premier League for £150million, the media and everyone is going to be expecting him to score goals and when he doesn’t do that, even if he is playing well, they are going to be on his backs, and we will have a Jack Grealish situation.
“For me, stay in Germany and keep doing what you are doing and then maybe come back.”
