Sources: Liverpool set aside 'huge' cash for 'superstar signing' in January amid club-record reveal

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26 Nov 2022, 5:00 am

Liverpool are prepared to spend big on a January signing regardless of the current uncertainty engulfing the club's ownership and executives, sources have told Football Insider.

Owners Fenway Sports Group have been willing to fund an A-list acquisition should Jurgen Klopp and the recruitment team source the right player, and that position has not changed despite recent events.

It is believed that Jude Bellingham is a top target for Liverpool going into the new year and they have been busy laying the groundwork for what would be a potential club-record deal.

But the Merseysiders face extensive competition for the Borussia Dortmund sensation from the world's elite clubs, most particularly Man City.

In the words of one source with knowledge of Liverpool's recruitment plans, they will spend "huge" money on a "superstar signing" in January if a deal can be done.

Klopp has made no attempt to hide his desire to bring in a top-level midfielder, with Declan Rice of West Ham another player he admires.

The club is braced for a major midfield overhaul in the next two windows, with Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner all out of contract at the end of the season.

The club were keen to discuss an extension with Keita but talks have collapsed after he was not interested in taking a pay cut.

The Merseysiders are expected to announce club-record revenues for last season, when they chased the quadruple until the final week of the campaign, of more than £550million.

The US-owned giants have subsequently spent £65m rising to £85m on Darwin Nunez, who joined in the summer, after already paying a potential £50m for Luis Diaz in January.

But those payouts, as well as deals for the likes of Fabio Carvalho, Calvin Ramsey and last-gasp loanee capture Arthur Melo, will not stop owners FSG from spending big in January.

Liverpool's most recently published accounts revealed assets of £160.7million, including £31m cash in the bank and £108.9m cash owed to them.

US owners Fenway Sports Group are looking to find a new buyer and senior executives are leaving, including the sporting director Julian Ward.

FSG president Mike Gordon has quit his day-to-day role to oversee takeover talks, Ward has resigned and will leave at the end of the season and director of research Ian Graham is working his notice.

This comes after the previous sporting director Michael Edwards quit last summer after overseeing a transfer operation hailed as the best in Europe.

In other news, Declan Rice 'showing Liverpool what they are missing’ after West Ham offer submitted.

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