Liverpool are reportedly in pole position to sign Jude Bellingham next summer after Real Madrid cooled their interest in signing the England international.
Liverpool have been credited with an interest in Bellingham on a number of occasions in the past, with Jurgen Klopp thought to be a big fan. Meanwhile, rivals Manchester City and Manchester United are also admirers of the Englishman, while Real Madrid had emerged as frontrunners for his signature next summer.
Bellingham starred in England's 3-0 win over Senegal in the World Cup Round of 16 on Sunday night and has arguably been his nation's most impressive player throughout the tournament with a string of eye-catching performances in the heart of the Three Lions midfield.
The Reds are now thought to be at the front of the queue of clubs hopeful of landing the England international, who previously spent some time on Merseyside when he was playing at Under-11 level. He had a two-day trial at the club's Kirkby academy and was impressed, enjoying a tour of the facilities but no transfer materialised.
It is outlined by a report in Marca that Liverpool are now the club most likely to land Bellingham after Real Madrid stepped back in the race for his signature. The midfielder's World Cup performances have seen his stock rise higher and the impact that has on his price tag is likely to prove influential.
It is claimed that Borussia Dortmund will now demand upwards of £125million for the player, and that is a deal that Real Madrid will not countenance. This is due to their relative financial prudence in recent years, having been stung by their club record signing Eden Hazard having little impact since his switch from Chelsea in 2019.
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The European champions have been tracking Bellingham since his time at Birmingham City and the player is aware of their long-standing interest. The midfielder was informed directly by the Spanish club this summer that they would move to sign him next summer, and not to renew his Dortmund deal or seal an exit from the Bundesliga this year.
However, despite this approach – Real Madrid are not afraid to discontinue their interest due to the change in economic conditions. Having signed Aurelien Tchouameni this year and Eduardo Camavinga in 2021, alongside the continued rise of Fede Valverde, their midfield options to succeed Toni Kroos and Luka Modric are already well stocked.
When Bellingham was quizzed on his future prior to Dortmund's Champions League clash with Manchester City earlier this season, the teenager explained: "The club have done loads for me and made me feel very welcome since I first came and gave me the opportunities to develop even further. To look past that and into the future would be disrespectful. It's not something I am thinking about, to be honest."
