Pundit suggests Liverpool are in ‘private’ talks with Jude Bellingham as new ‘whispers’ emerge
Frank McAvennie has suggested Liverpool may still be working on a deal for Jude Bellingham behind the scenes.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former West Ham striker said the news that the Reds are out of the race may be a “ploy” to get a deal done in private.
This site revealed that the Merseysiders had pulled out of the running for the 19-year-old on Wednesday (12 April) due to the potential £130million price tag that would be placed on the England international.
Jurgen Klopp was forced to abandon plans to sign the midfielder and instead focus on cheaper alternatives.
Bellingham’s current contract at Borussia Dortmund runs until 2025 but clubs across Europe had been preparing to do battle for his signature this summer.
Although Liverpool appear to be out of the running, McAvennie suggested they may still be working on a deal to sign the Dortmund star.
“It is going to be like that until the end of the season,” he told Football Insider.
“If they want him they have to go and get him. They need him.
“[Jordan] Henderson is a great player but is coming to the end of his tenure. He will be about for years but they need somebody that has got pace in that midfield.
“If they want him go and get him and do not worry about the price. The overinflated prices are something else, but they started it by paying £80m for [Virgil] Van Dijk.
“It is a situation that is not going to go away but if they want a player, go and get him. I think it might just be a ploy to distract people and he will still be speaking to them.
“The whispers I hear is they still want him. For them to keep up with Man City they need to sign him.”
In other news, Rising star could leave Liverpool for new club next season as overhaul begins.