Liverpool sporting director Julian Ward has held talks with Jude Bellingham, says Sky’s Florian Plettenberg. The player almost certainly leaves Borussia Dortmund this year.
Sky Sports had Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg on today to discuss Jude Bellingham. The transfer race for the midfielder continues to heat up, with several giants hoping to sign him.
Plettenberg made it clear that Bellingham almost certainly leaves Borussia Dortmund in the summer. He believes it’s ‘chanceless’ that he remains there, with the German side wanting at least £88m (€100m) to sell.
As for who might sign him, there are three clubs topping the pile. One of those is Liverpool – who have been in touch with the player.
“We hear there are three targets for him that are very possible,” says Plettenberg. “They are Real Madrid, Manchester City and Liverpool.
“Liverpool are one of the favourites. [Jurgen] Klopp is pushing, pushing, pushing for him – he says ‘he is my transfer target no.1’.
“We also hear that Klopp hasn’t spoken to Bellingham personally yet, but the conversations have been with other guys – Julian Ward, for example. But Liverpool and Bellingham is hot.”
Jude Bellingham to Liverpool
No one can deny that Liverpool are putting the effort in. We’ve been hearing of their attempts to convince Bellingham for around a year now – and it’s all finally coming to a head.
But it won’t be easy and the efforts could ultimately be for nothing. Their form this season will inevitably put doubts in the player’s head – it’s just a question of whether he can look past them.
Above all, though, there’s the price. Plettenberg claims the upper end is around €150m, which would make this by far the most expensive deal in Liverpool’s history.
Is Bellingham worth that? Honestly, yes. We just hope Liverpool have the cash to pay it because no bidding war involving Manchester City is likely to see prices hover at the lower-end of the asking price.
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