Chelsea's move for Enzo Fernandez appears likely to have knock-on implications for Liverpool's own deal for Jude Bellingham.
Bellingham is expected to be the Reds' top target in the summer transfer window as Jurgen Klopp looks to boost his options in midfield. But the England international will not come cheap, with no release clause in his contract at Borussia Dortmund.
That means the Bundesliga club can virtually name their price when it comes to the bidding war for their star man. Liverpool are expected to be one of the frontrunners in that race, with Real Madrid and Manchester City also thought to be weighing up moves.
With Liverpool unlikely to be able to match the financial power of their two main rivals, they may have hoped to be able to strike a cheaper deal. But those hopes appear to have taken a blow in the wake of Chelsea's record move for Fernandez.
The Blues paid Benfica a British record fee of £115million for the World Cup winner after a month-long chase. According to Caught Offside, talks around Bellingham's future are scheduled for March.
And it is stated that Dortmund feel they have a 'suitable benchmark' for a fee for the 19-year-old thanks to the Fernandez deal. They are said to have kept a 'close eye' on Chelsea's move for the midfielder.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Is Jude Bellingham worth a bigger transfer fee than Enzo Fernandez? Comment below.
Following his record move to Stamford Bridge, Dortmund are now adamant that Bellingham will not be cheaper. That means that the British record will have to be broken once again if a Premier League side is to buy Bellingham.
Liverpool will now be aware that they cannot offer less than the fee Fernandez fetched if they are to successfully sign their top target. Back in December, Reds boss Klopp refused to put a price on Bellingham's head, with his admiration clear to see.
"I don't like to talk about money when you talk about a player like him. Everyone can see he is just exceptional," he said.
"If you mention to someone who has no clue about football, or who knows about football and has not watched it for a while (and ask) 'How old do you think Jude Bellingham is?', I don't think anyone would get even close to his age.
"They would say 28 or 29 because he plays so maturely. He played an exceptional World Cup. Absolutely exceptional. With all the things he has and things he can improve, to describe him I would say the things he can do are difficult to learn, and the things he can improve are easy to learn.
"So, yes, he is a really good player. What can I say? I have thought that already for two or three years since he had his breakthrough at Dortmund. Everybody knew already but I have no idea what that means for the money side of it.
"I really think if we all want to do him a favour then we do not talk too much about money. I mean that from an England point of view. Do not throw any hurdles in his development."
