Real Madrid are confident of signing Jude Bellingham, but Liverpool are not giving up on the star and Borussia Dortmund are linking him with a big-money extension.
Liverpool have refused to admit their failure to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund. With Real Madrid leading the charge to secure the England midfielder’s signature, the Reds are doubling down on their efforts to convince the player that Anfield is the right destination for him, according to Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg. Liverpool boss Klopp is keen to sign Bellingham.
The charm offensive was launched at the behest of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who is said to be “obsessed” with the idea of adding Bellingham to his side.
Liverpool are targeting the 19-year-old less than a month before their Champions League round of 16 clash with Madrid. As previously reported by Diario AS, the La Liga club are confident of signing Bellingham as he would rather go to Spain than return to English football. He left Birmingham City three years ago to pursue a career abroad and believes his development will benefit from a stay on the continent. Like Madrid, Liverpool also see Bellingham as the perfect new arrival to revitalize their midfield. The likes of Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Thiago Alcantara are over 30 and Klopp is keen to bring in new starters in the engine room, having already done so by signing Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunes and Coady, reducing the average age of forward selection. . Jake the Pooh.
Liverpool’s decision to take Bellingham to Merseyside is a potential key to Madrid’s strategy to sign the teenager. He is set to enter the final two years of his contract this summer and Dortmund want him to push through a move as Real Madrid look to avoid a big fee. With Dortmund expected to demand around €100m plus €40m in add-ons, Madrid do not want to be drawn into a bidding war with Liverpool, especially as it is not easy to compete with the financial might of Premier League clubs these days. A player who appears to have chosen them over the competition pays the odds. Dortmund tie up Bellingham in historic new deal
With Bellingham’s suitors vying for a place in the race for his signature, Dortmund are set to offer the midfielder a bargain deal. The eight-time German champions are ready to sign a new three-and-a-half-year contract worth around €15m per season, around €5m more than the extension he was initially offered. Such a deal would make Bellingham the highest-paid player in Dortmund’s history.