By now, Liverpool’s interest in Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham is very well-known.
However, common knowledge has it that The Reds will have to wait until next summer to land the teenager. That may have just changed, though.
Reports emerged this morning that Dortmund are monitoring the situation of Liverpool’s Naby Keita, with a view to a move.
If Dortmund’s interest in Keita is indeed genuine, this could be the opportunity Liverpool have been waiting for. With Keita used as a make-weight, the Germans may be more inclined to come to the table. Perhaps as part of a swap deal for Bellingham.
Opportunity knocks for Liverpool and Bellingham
If this thought does occur to Liverpool, then they’ll have to move pretty quickly to get it done. With only a week of the transfer window left, there’s no time to lose.
That isn’t really Liverpool’s style in the transfer market. But if Bellingham really is the midfielder they’ve been holding out for, then it’s definitely worth a go.
Jurgen Klopp has repeatedly spoken of how Liverpool won’t enter the market unless an opportunity presents itself for the right player.
If Dortmund do want Keita, then that is surely an opportunity. Liverpool could get a reportedly unhappy player off the books and replace him with a young and hungry talent.
Not as easy as it looks
Of course, this plan is not airtight though. For one thing, Liverpool would still have to fork out a huge sum for Bellingham. Keita only has a year left on his deal and his value is unlikely to knock much off the England man’s asking price.
The other flaw is that it would still arguably leave Klopp short in the midfield department. The Reds currently need numbers adding, not levelling out. One in, one out would kind of leave them in the same position as before re needing a midfielder.
To counter that, Bellingham would hopefully be available a lot more than Keita. With his injury record, Naby can’t be relied upon to be a regular option. Hopefully Bellingham could.
Let’s see first of all if Dortmund’s interest in Keita develops into anything further. If it does, Liverpool would be foolish not to at least ask the question.
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