Liverpool ‘very optimistic’ about sealing £87m Jude Bellingham signing

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Liverpool are said to be ‘very optimistic’ about signing Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund in the summer transfer window, per new reports. Bellingham is also a top target for Manchester United but Liverpool are believed to be confident of securing his signature.

The England midfielder is one of the most sought-after players in world football and is enjoying a brilliant season for Dortmund. Still only 19, Bellingham is enjoying the finest year of his career yet with nine goals and two assists in 20 matches – and he has even captained the German giants twice this term.

And Liverpool are eager to recruit the teenager to be the future of their midfield under Jurgen Klopp. Sky Sport Germany claim the Reds are ‘very optimistic’ of signing him in the summer of 2023.

Reporter Florian Plettenburg claims he is Liverpool’s main target and that manager Klopp is ‘pushing’ to sign the Englishman. The Premier League heavyweights reportedly think they can secure him for an initial £87million (€100m) with add-ons set to take the total fee well over £100m.

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Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Bayern Munich have very little chance of signing the player, the report adds, but Man United have made Bellingham their top summer target too. Plettenburg claims United have scouted the midfielder regularly.

The Red Devils feel Bellingham may command an overall fee of around £130m (€150m) but Erik ten Hag wants him at Old Trafford this coming summer. United’s chances of doing a deal are also claimed to be low, however, for two reasons.

One is the competition for his signing from Liverpool and also Premier League champions Manchester City. And the second is Financial Fair Play, after United spent over £200m last summer on Antony, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia.

Liverpool boss Klopp has publicly revealed his admiration for Bellingham previously. Speaking last summer, he said: “He’s not on the market, so that’s the first problem with that player. Well, the only problem with that player!”

Real Madrid and Chelsea are two other clubs strongly interested in his talents. While City boss Pep Guardiola said of Bellingham recently: “I said when he was 17, it wasn’t just the quality, it was about he was shouting, leading, kicking, and going to the referee.

“I thought this guy was something special in terms of mentality. Now, at 19 years old, he is already one the captains of the team, and when that happens at 19 years old it is quite impressive.

“The quality and skills, everyone knows it, but it’s not just about that. It’s about the whole package. He’s really good. He’s already in the national team playing with them at 19. That is quite impressive. We know the quality he has but we will try to impose our quality on the game and win the game.”

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