There is simply no way that Borussia Dortmund will allow Liverpool target Jude Bellingham to leave the club in January.
The 19-year-old has been right at the heart of transfer speculation as next month’s window speeds into sight. But according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Bellingham won’t be allowed to leave in the New Year.
“The timing will be important with Jude Bellingham. But from what I’m told, the decision of Borussia Dortmund is that they absolutely don’t want to sell Jude Bellingham in January. We had some rumours that Liverpool were maybe trying to anticipate a deal,” Romano said on his YouTube channel.
“Borussia Dortmund don’t want to negotiate now, they want to discuss in the next months but not now. It’s going to be more than difficult to sign Bellingham in January and as always the expectation is for him to move in the summer.
“So, this is the situation around Bellingham: it’s not going to be decided now. So, guys, relax when you see the name of Jude Bellingham on the market because it’s going to take some time.”
Plenty of time for Liverpool to work their magic
This has been a fairly consistent line from Dortmund throughout the Bellingham transfer saga. If they’re to lose him at all, it won’t be mid-season.
That’s fair enough, really. The England international has been one of their very best players all season. Still in the Champions League and battling for a top four spot in the Bundesliga, they’ll do what they can to keep hold of him.
And in the absence of a release clause, the German club hold all of the cards. If a club is prepared to pay over £100m to land Bellingham next month, then they’ll probably be willing to pay that come the summertime, too.
As a result, Liverpool should continue to put the hard yards in to convince the teenager his future lies at Anfield. Bellingham and his family appear to be in no rush to decide on his next club. With plenty of ammo to persuade him, this could still give Liverpool the upper-hand.
Plus, unlike in their pursuit of Enzo Fernandez, Liverpool can’t be gazumped by another club swanning in and paying the player’s exit fee.
Romano reported this morning that Chelsea could be on the verge of doing exactly that for the Argentine.That will be frustrating for Liverpool, who have been tracking the player for a long while.
There will be relief that a similar situation won’t unfold where Bellingham is concerned. Still, it would be great to get this all wrapped up as soon as possible.
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