Revealed: Liverpool were close to signing Jude Bellingham – ‘the deal was virtually done’, source says
Liverpool were close to securing the sensational signing of Jude Bellingham in the summer, sources have told Football Insider.
The Merseysiders were working on reaching an agreement with the World Cup sensation, 19, and had been advancing on talks with intermediaries about a potential deal.
One well-placed source has told us that the “deal was virtually done” at one stage as Liverpool looked to beat rivals to a player manager Jurgen Klopp had identified as a top priority.
But a full agreement could not be secured at the time, even though Bellingham and his father Mark had been convinced that a move to Merseyside was the ideal next step in his career.
In the end, the midfielder ended up staying at Borussia Dortmund and he has taken his performances to a new level this season for club and country.
That has further increased his price tag, as well as the interest in him, and means Liverpool face an even bigger battle to win the race for him next year.
Klopp is still pushing hard for a deal behind the scenes and is in no doubt that Bellingham is the answer to the midfield problems that have plagued his ageing team this season.
Reports in Germany this week have stated that Liverpool are in pole position to sign Bellingham, despite strong interest from rival clubs including Real Madrid, Man City and Chelsea.
Liverpool have been busy behind the scenes on forging a strong relationship with Bellingham’s camp and have made progress on the broad framework of what would be a club-record deal.
His father Mark Bellingham plays a key role in guiding his superstar son’s career, with multiple sources saying he is far more influential than agents or intermediaries.
Bellingham senior believes Liverpool would be a great fit for his son although qualification for next season’s Champions League will be critical in the final decision.
Borussia Dortmund are expected to allow Bellingham to leave, even potentially in January, although a summer transfer is regarded as more likely at this stage.
The German club have failed to make progress in securing the midfielder to a contract extension, with his current deal expiring in the summer of 2025.
His valuation has soared beyond the £100million mark and that could increase further if he maintains his dazzling form in the later stages of the World Cup.
Bellingham has been identified by the Liverpool recruitment team as the dynamic central midfielder capture capable of spearheading the team to the next level.
But the Merseysiders recognise that Bellingham’s excellence and stellar form further complicates what was already an extremely complex transfer.
Bellingham had an outstanding 2021-22 campaign, scoring six goals and providing 14 assists from 44 appearances in all competitions.
He has carried that form into the new season operating in a more advanced role for his club, often on the right side of midfield.
But his versatility and calibre is such he can thrive in multiple positions, including as midfield anchorman, in a central two and at number eight.
The Englishman’s 22 matches in all competitions for Dortmund this term have yielded a hugely impressive nine goals and three assists, and he has also shone in a more advanced role for England in a midfield three alongside Declan Rice and Jordan Henderson.
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