Liverpool could be gazumped in Declan Rice ‘bidding war’ after source’s reveal – pundit
Noel Whelan has warned Liverpool they face losing out on marquee midfield targets Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham if they don’t finish in the top four this season.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the likes of “Man United, Chelsea, and Man City” could spark a “bidding war” for the England international pair.
Football Insider revealed via Liverpool sources on Saturday (8 October) that the Merseysiders retain a strong interest in West Ham star Rice, 23, as they lay the groundwork for a marquee midfield signing next year.
It is also believed they are pushing hard to land Jude Bellingham but are facing increasingly strong competition from Europe’s elite.
Liverpool have started the new campaign in dismal fashion, winning just two from eight in the Premier League and sitting 10th in the table.
Whelan insisted a top-four finish will be instrumental in “enticing” the likes of Bellingham and Rice to Anfield.
He told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “They won’t want to put all their eggs in one basket.
“Liverpool know that they’ll be a lot of clubs looking at Bellingham and Rice.
“The thing is, if you’re not in that Champions League position, it’s going to be very difficult to pull these players into the club.
“We know how important the Champions League is to enticing players to join a new club.
“This is why it’s so important they find their form and find it as quickly as possible. They’ve got to find some purpose in their game.
“It’s very stop-start and they look frail at the back as well.
“Don’t tell me that Man United, Chelsea, and Man City won’t want Rice and Bellingham.
“They’ll be a bidding war for these players, so they need to be in a good position come next summer.”
In other news, Mohamed Salah slammed by pundit after “unbelievable” Liverpool quotes emerge.