Liverpool will have to smash the club-record transfer fee to land Jude Bellingham next summer after learning of Borussia Dortmund 's reported asking price and the teenager's contract situation.
The Reds are already understood to have concluded their transfer business for this summer having snapped up young duo Fabio Carvalho and Calvin Ramsay, in addition to Benfica hitman Darwin Nunez - the latter a replacement for Sadio Mane following his move to Bayern Munich. Jurgen Klopp was expected to make signing an all-action midfielder his key priority this summer, however, having missed out on Aurelien Tchouameni to Real Madrid, those plans have since been shelved.
The German is now expected to revisit that area of need next summer and Dortmund's Bellingham has been touted as the club's new top target. However, not only will Liverpool have to break the bank to secure the England starlet this time next year, but they will also have to overcome an obstacle Manchester City avoided with Erling Haaland as details of Bellingham's Dortmund contract have come to light.
Having lost Haaland to City - who activated his £51million release clause - in one of the most high-profile transfers of this summer, Dortmund have made it abundantly clear that they have no intention to entertain offers for Bellingham in the current window. However, according to Sport Bild, that stance is likely to change next year.
The German outlet claim the summer of 2023 is the earliest point at which Dortmund will consider allowing the 19-year-old, who still has three years remaining on his current deal, to leave. With Liverpool expected to bolster their midfield next summer, and the Reds recognised as long-term admirers' of Bellingham's, an assault in 12 months' time appears increasingly likely.
Dortmund are also understood to be unwilling to enter negotiations over the former Birmingham City academy graduate unless interested clubs propose an offer in the region of £104million - the equivalent of €120m. Given the youngster already has a wealth of experience under his belt at club level in both the Bundesliga and Champions League, as well as on the international stage with England, it is thought that price isn't altogether unreasonable.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Which club do you think Jude Bellingham should join when he departs Borussia Dortmund? Comment below
However, while the Reds can start plotting a timeline to move for Bellingham having discovered his contract details and Dortmund's stance, there does appear to be a catch. Unlike Erling Haaland, the Black and Yellows midfielder doesn't have a release clause included within his current terms.
That could ultimately prove problematic as the Reds could end up becoming embroiled in a bidding war with the likes of Real Madrid. The Spanish giants are also thought to be monitoring Bellingham.
However, despite the young midfielder having garnered plenty of admirers from across Europe, reports in German suggest no club has expressed any official interest. That is expected to change over the coming months.
After leaving his beloved Blues for Dortmund in a £25m deal back in the summer of 2020, Bellingham has since seen his profile soar. The teenager has become a mainstay in the heart of the Bundesliga side's midfield and has established himself as one of the most highly-rated young talents across the continent.
Amid much talk that a move back to English shores could be on the cards this summer, Bellingham recently refused to be drawn to speculation regarding his future, insisting his development as a player remains his priority. He told The Times : "You kind of make it up as you go along. I’m in control of my own destiny, I suppose, and my own development if I put the work in."
Bellingham has netted 10 goals and contributed a further 18 assists in 89 appearances for Dortmund. The midfield maestro has also made no secret to hide his admiration for both Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson, adding fuel to speculation that he is destined for Liverpool.
