Liverpool owners FSG set for £196m transfer ultimatum in Real Madrid Champions League tie

Liverpool’s plans for the season and the summer transfer window could be determined by what happens in the last 16 of the Champions League with Real Madrid.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has already acknowledged that changes are needed in the summer transfer window, with a midfield overhaul being the most pressing issue, but the Champions League clash with Real Madrid could very well demonstrate who the players are playing for. Reds. . Season. Thiago Alcantara remains the only midfield signing since both Naby Keita and Fabinho moved to Anfield in 2018.

That transfer scrutiny has finally reached Liverpool this season, prompting desperate cries from fans and former players to see Jude Bellingham join this summer. The England international is seen as the main transfer target for several European giants at the end of the season, with Borussia Dortmund reportedly asking for a fee of around £133m. The tempting price tag hasn’t seemed to deter potential suitors, and Bellingham could end up having the deciding vote on where he goes. Speculation of linking Bellingham with Liverpool came to a head at the World Cup, when fans concluded that Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold were planning a move to Anfield.

In truth, nothing is decided yet and the speculations will only intensify in the months to come. But Bellingham won’t be the only midfield signing Liverpool are likely to pursue this summer, with Mason Mount looming as a possible target given his uncertain future at Chelsea.

The 24-year-old struggled to find his footing under Graham Potter and was left out of the starting line-up in Chelsea’s recent 1-1 draw with West Ham. He has been out of contract with the versatile striker for less than 18 months but has yet to make any further commitments to Chelsea.

Mount would also be an achievable target, according to Transfermarkt, with his value set at £66million. While Liverpool have spent big on Darwin Nunez, Virgil van Dijk and Alisson, they have rarely done big business in the same transfer window.

FSG’s record window returned in 2018 when they brought in Keita, Fabinho, Alisson and Xherdan Shaqiri for around £174million. Signing Mount and Bellingham would surpass that record and FSG are likely to consider any opportunities leading up to the summer transfer window. Midfield recruitment is needed and it is expected that a lot of money will be spent at Liverpool over the summer to refurbish that part of the pitch. But Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid could prove to be the determining factor in what Liverpool are willing to do over the summer and, more importantly, what they can do.

Champions League prize money has helped the Reds immensely in the transfer market in recent years, with Klopp’s side reaching three of their last five finals. They have already earned £37m in prize money from this year’s Champions League by reaching the last 16.

But there’s another £36.9m on the line as Liverpool race to clinch their seventh Champions League title. This could prove crucial to FSG’s summer transfer plans and could make all the difference to Klopp getting his priority signings in midfield.

Bellingham and Mount will be dream transfers, but a defeat to Real in the last 16 of the Champions League could immediately make that dream explode.