The Athletic’s David Ornstein caused quite a stir when he recently reported that Liverpool are increasingly unlikely to sign Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham this summer.
However, speaking on the FIVE YouTube channel, the journalist has now clarified his position on the potential transfer.
“Well, it’s good to have a proper opportunity to explain it, because when you’re dealing with the reaction on social media, it’s often quite binary, black or white – you’re either signing someone or not, celebration or commiseration,” said Ornstein.
“The Jude Bellingham situation has been well documented for a long time in the fact that pretty much every major club in world football would love to sign Jude Bellingham. In more recent months, maybe even years to be honest, Liverpool have been extremely heavily linked with him. He’s a player that clearly Jurgen Klopp and the club adore and the fanbase too, with total justification.
“And then lately, sort of Real Madrid and Man City have come to the fore to present to the outside world like it’s a bit of a three-way battle.
“There’s a bit of unknown around Manchester United, for example, if their takeover was to allow them in more financial resource, is it a player they would go for? With that focus that we talked about being on the striker and still needing to comply with financial fair play, I wouldn’t put them in the same bracket right now. Chelsea obviously would have been in that bracket, whether Jude Bellingham would have wanted to go there or not we don’t know. But I think by signing Enzo Fernandez, their need to bring in Jude Bellingham is a bit less pressing.
“That’s where I’m going to pick up the answer because a lot of people since we published that on The Athletic have said, ‘what’s the news here, how has it changed?’. ‘Liverpool would have always known it was going to be really expensive’. ‘Why are financial considerations more of a concern now than they were before?’
“Let’s pick up on that. Enzo Fernandez signing for Chelsea for 121 million Euros in pretty much the same position, with a lower of experience than Jude Bellingham in terms of appearances in Europe, even though he’s won the World Cup with Argentina. Excuse the market, the supply and demand for those top-level number six, number eights do not marry at the moment. There is much more demand from the top clubs than there is supply so that would always push the price up and the Enzo Fernandez signing will do that even more.
“It puts Borussia Dortmund in a really strong position. They already had him under contract until 2025, there’s no release clause to our knowledge in there. They would very happily give him a new deal and he appears to be happy there. He’s just 19 years old, and so whoever’s going to prize him away from the Bundesliga, are going to have to pay a hefty amount of money.
“On The Athletic, we reported a while ago that Dortmund want around 150 million euros. There has always been this notion 120 will do it. We don’t actually know because there’s no firm price and the process is not yet at a stage where clubs are in detailed negotiations with Dortmund. Maybe there have been some conversations, maybe there’s been some dialogue with Jude Bellingham’s camp, which is run by his father, and his parents have excellently mapped out his career so far.
“So, my information is that as things stand, Liverpool’s pursuit or chances of signing him this summer are looking increasingly unlikely because of the finances it would involve for the reasons explained, and also because of the financial power of their rivals for him.
“Manchester City are really keen on Jude Bellingham. It looks like Ilkay Gundogan may leave; they’re always looking for top level players. Bellingham and Haaland play together before. Real Madrid are sort of regenerating their midfield whether Kroos and Modric end up leaving this summer or in the future. They’ve already bought in Tchouameni, they’ve got Camavinga, who they’re starting talks with over a new contract. And if Real Madrid wants a player, they normally get them.
“The same questions apply, will they go to the level it’s required? I think for Liverpool, it will come down to the budget – I guess it will with everybody – and that’s what we’re yet to understand. Are FSG, Fenway Sports Group – Liverpool’s owners, prepared to go where they’ve never been anywhere near before if it’s 150 million Euros, because that would maybe double their transfer record for one player. And Liverpool are working on a number of scenarios for a number of different positions, with a number of different options to strengthen their squad.
“So that will be huge question for them. ‘Do we just focus on Jude Bellingham and throw all the resources at him?’, ‘or can we find a scenario where we go for him and we take on other players?’. ‘Or do we just focus on other players?’, and you’re seeing the likes of Mason Mount linked, Matheus Nunes linked. I don’t want to give off the impression that Liverpool’s pursuit of Jude Bellingham is over. To the country, and we were clear on that in our reports, their admiration could not be stronger, they want to sign him, and no firm decisions have been made.
“So, what we’re actually reporting at this moment in time, is that not so much there are favourites for Jude Bellingham, because I genuinely think this race is open. But more that there are a couple of clubs that are in slightly stronger positions right now, and that could change, and it will depend on multiple factors.
“He’s taken to this scene like a duck to water. He’s excelling, he doesn’t seem to be phased physically, mentally, intellectually, tactically, technically. He’s an absolute prime specimen for club and country, he’s only going in one direction and wherever he ends up, I guess we should all wish him only the best and total support.”
Ornstein says Liverpool remain in the race for Bellingham
Although The Athletic’s original report claimed that Liverpool had somewhat fallen out of contention of signing Bellingham this summer, this update suggests this is not necessarily the case.
Instead, whilst City and Madrid may be sitting in more favourable positions right now due to their financial power, the Reds still make up the three favourite contenders.
Despite finances, Liverpool have always been confident, as the 19-year-old seems excited about the idea of the project at Anfield.
They were never going to be the team who could offer him the most lucrative contract, but they could be the team who could offer him to become their star player.
This is still one to keep a close eye on!
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