Here are your Liverpool morning headlines for Friday, July 8.
Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund have extra incentive to complete Jude Bellingham transfer
Liverpool’s interest in Jude Bellingham is well-documented and with the Reds putting plans to sign a new midfielder on hold until 2023, it’s easy to assume that such a stance is with the England international in mind. After all, Borussia Dortmund have no intention of selling the 19-year-old until next summer.
Yet signing the midfielder would admittedly be easier said than done, with the majority of elite clubs across Europe interested in his signature. If the youngster proves to be Jurgen Klopp’s desired target, Liverpool won’t baulk at his reported £103m asking price.
After all, while the Reds have eight senior options at Jurgen Klopp ’s disposal, a dwindling number of homegrown talent alongside ageing stars and expiring contracts makes the prospect of Bellingham moving to Anfield even more attractive. Meanwhile, reports suggest the midfielder would be more than interested in a move to Merseyside too.
READ MORE: Mohamed Salah Liverpool truth emerges as FSG avoid 'significant' blow
However, given the vast interest in the teenager’s signature, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City having all made initial enquiries and the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich expected to follow, Liverpool won’t have any desire to get caught in a bidding war either, well-aware that rival sides would be likely to attempt to turn his head with higher wages on offer.
And any interested English clubs, along with Borussia Dortmund for that matter, both have an extra incentive to complete a transfer for Bellingham next summer.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE .
Julian Ward passes £41m audition
Despite only officially starting his role as Liverpool's sporting director last Friday, it's been a busy couple of months for the newly-appointed Julian Ward.
Following Michael Edwards' decision to step down from his role as the Reds' chief transfer guru back in November, although he would out carry out his duties until June, Ward has been tasked with following in the footsteps of the man who has been so key to Liverpool's stellar recruitment since 2017.
In January, Ward earned the first feathers in his cap as assistant sporting director when he was part of the entourage that helped complete an unexpected move for FC Porto's Luis Diaz after Tottenham stepped up their efforts to recruit the Colombian in the final days of the transfer window.
Despite the swift coup of Diaz , supporters were understandably apprehensive ahead of Edwards' departure this summer given how influential he had been in repairing the relationship with Southampton after signing Virgil van Dijk in 2018 and bringing in other high-profile additions to Anfield during his tenure.
However, Edwards' apprentice has already exceeded expectations during his early days in the role of sporting director, having already accumulated £41m from outgoings this summer, and that sum is only expected to increase with the departure of Neco Williams in the coming days.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE .
READ NEXT:
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