Borussia Dortmund are "relaxed" about the future of Jude Bellingham despite talks over a new contract with the new Bundesliga leaders having yet to take place.
The teenager is predicted to initiate a mammoth tug-of-war between Europe's biggest clubs later this year with Liverpool, Real Madrid and Manchester City set to try and lure him back to England after three seasons.
And the Reds are hoping to be at the front of that queue for the 19-year-old. Jurgen Klopp's interest in Bellingham is arguably football's worst-kept secret as the Liverpool boss draws up plans to overhaul his midfield and wave goodbye to the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita.
READ MORE: Michael Owen writes off Naby Keita, criticises Fabinho and names Liverpool's 'best' midfielders
READ MORE: 'That would really be a joke' - Jurgen Klopp sends defiant message to his Liverpool players
However, Dortmund are not resigned to losing their prized asset, who they signed from Birmingham City for an initial £25m in the summer of 2020. But sporting director Sebastian Kehl insists both parties are yet to hold official talks over extending Bellingham's current deal, which expires in 2025.
"I'm trying to renew with him. Why not? Jude is just a winner," said Kehl, speaking to ZDF. "There haven't been any talks yet, we're all very relaxed about it."
Dortmund are currently the only team in Europe's top-five leagues to win all of their games in 2023. A 1-0 victory at Hoffenheim on Saturday launched Edin Terzic's side to the top of the Bundesliga table.
And when speaking about the job manager Terzic is doing, Kehl seemed to have a subtle message for Bellingham as interest intensifies over a summer move away from the club.
"You notice that something is growing together," added Kehl. "For example, Karim Adeyemi needed time and a new mindset to arrive at BVB with the high demands. We see a clear further development. For players and in the team."
Kehl's comments come just days after Klopp appeared to issue a rallying cry to Liverpool's owners Fenway FSG ahead of the summer transfer window.
"It's not helpful [if we don't get Champions League]," the German told reporters at the AXA Training Centre on Friday morning. "Money always has an impact. But this cannot be that much of an impact, let me say it like this. Of course it is influential but this is a summer where we have to be in the market, definitely.
"I am sorry that we cannot guarantee the Champions League at this moment but it's not done yet, we will fight for it, so we don't have to talk about it as though it is not possible. But it is tricky and difficult and if [we qualify], it will be a late decision, I guess.
"We have to start doing work earlier than before we know where we will end up position-wise and European competition-wise, so these things are clear here."
READ NEXT:
Darwin Nunez injury update after Liverpool striker missed Crystal Palace draw
Diogo Jota shows what is needed as Naby Keita endgame emerges
Jurgen Klopp needs FSG promise regardless of Liverpool's fate
Jurgen Klopp reveals reasons for Naby Keita and Trent Alexander-Arnold substitutions
Liverpool accident inside half an hour against Crystal Palace sums up tortuous season
