Transfer blow as 19-year-old Liverpool target has opted to move to La Liga giants

Liverpool target Jude Bellingham ‘already decided’ to join Spanish club in a blow to Liverpool

In what is a major blow to Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool, long-term transfer target Jude Bellingham has chosen to join Real Madrid amidst links with Premier League clubs including the Reds, Manchester City and Chelsea. as per Marca, via Paisley Gates (h/t Liverpool Echo).

Borussia Dortmund have valued their midfielder at £131.6m. With the transfer window fast approaching, Liverpool are also stepping up their interest in the 19-year-old. The former Birmingham City midfielder has been on Liverpool’s radar ever since his move to the Bundesliga.

Real Madrid’s interest means that apart from Aurelien Tchouameni, Los Blancos have targeted one more of Liverpool’s transfer targets. His current contract runs down in 2025. In spite of this, Dortmund could offer him a new contract due to speculation surrounding his departure.

Liverpool gaffer Jurgen Klopp is a big admirer of Jude. And additionally, the German has good relations with Dortmund which could potentially play the ball in Liverpool’s court. But at the moment, the Reds seem to lead the race in signing the midfielder.

With a summer 2023 move for the 19-year-old looking likely, it is to be seen whether any suitors try to lure him out of the Signal Iduna Park as early as the January transfer window. Real Madrid are known to be aggressive in their transfer strategy, and hence a good bidding war could take place.

Bellingham on a personal front has ruled out thinking about any transfers at the moment. He is not “looking past” anything presently and has committed his future to Borussia Dortmund. Liverpool are arguably in need of Jude’s services more than Real given the Reds’ midfield is not getting any younger by the day.

With Jude expected to feature for England in the World Cup later this year in November, it could mean that his stocks rise further if he has a good showing there.

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The Reds could live to rue their mistake in case Bellingham joins someone else next year or becomes unaffordable for us. Ideally, Liverpool should have looked to sign a young, long-term midfield prospect this summer itself. But that wasn’t meant to be.