Jude Bellingham to Liverpool was a prospect that been rumbling on for the better part of two years.
After the Reds lost out on Aurelien Tchouameni last summer to Real Madrid the link with the 19-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder intensified, with the lack of spend to address their midfield deficiencies seen as a precursor to a move this coming summer.
It was always going to be an expensive play, but with the potential investment into Liverpool that could arrive by the summer that would allow owners Fenway Sports Group to recapitalise the business and free up funds for a heavier than usual outlay, there was hope it could be done.
