Liverpool’s next major signing could be Jude Bellingham, after they secured the signature of Darwin Nunez.
That’s according to the Liverpool Echo, who claim that the England midfielder ‘may well’ be the next player Liverpool spend big on.
However, they claim that an ‘approach’ from The Reds is ‘unlikely.’ Given that Borussia Dortmund have already lost star man Erling Haaland this summer, Liverpool may have to wait to get their man.
Haaland officially joined Manchester City for a £51m fee earlier this week. The transfer cost of prising Bellingham away from Germany is likely to be almost double that.
Liverpool to wait for Jude
Liverpool fans were on a high yesterday as they waited for the announcement that Nunez had put pen to paper at Anfield.
That announcement eventually came in the early evening as The Reds tied up the formalities of the deal.
Prior to that though, supporters were dealt something of a blow. The Times reporting that no new midfielder will be targeted until next year.
In reality, many see the need for a new midfielder as even more important than adding to the forward line.
Liverpool already have strength in depth up-front. Even without the out-going Sadio Mane, a front three of Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah looks more than capable.
Roberto Firmino is still around and Fabio Carvalho has been added too. Of course it’s brilliant to get a player as exciting as Darwin in, and it was certainly needed at some stage.
Looking to the past for lessons
With an ageing midfield though, Liverpool need a refresh in the middle. Jurgen Klopp could lean on Harvey Elliott to play more and we’ll once again have the ever-green James Milner to count on.
If no new face is brought in though, there are echoes of the 2020/21 season where Liverpool failed to strengthen their defence.
We all know how that turned out in the end. The situation isn’t quite as desperate as that, and Liverpool do still have options. But with injuries and age becoming an issue for a couple, some new blood would be very welcome.
As it was with the defence, it looks like we’ll get it eventually. Liverpool should also be commended for sticking to their guns and firming up a top target. Bellingham will also certainly be worth the wait. Haaland even called him ‘phenomenal’ via the ESPN FC podcast earlier this year.
Let’s just hope that decision doesn’t backfire.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
