Don Hutchinson urges Liverpool to be cute in their pursuit of Jude Bellingham
Speaking to ESPN (h/t Liverpool Echo), former Liverpool midfielder Don Hutchinson has suggested the club to be a bit cuter in their pursuit of Jude Bellingham.
There are no secrets behind the fact that the Reds are doing their all to sign Bellingham in the coming summer window. Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City are also in the race, while the price tag will be at a higher echelon.
We have a recent history of getting beaten by Madrid for a key midfield signing – Aurelien Tchouameni in the preceding summer window. So, the need to make sure that a repeat of that does not happen is paramount.
Here’s what Hutchinson regarding the club’s need to be cuter in their pursuit (h/t Liverpool Echo):
“Now it’s panic stations. You have to make sure, you don’t just panic.
“Even if you can do all the work behind the scenes. Speaking to Jude Bellingham’s mum and dad. Speaking to Dortmund. Speaking to the player.
“Trying to be cute and offer maybe a Naby Keita to Dortmund, or whatever you see fit. But they have got to make sure that they don’t just panic.”
Since Naby Keita’s contract is expiring at the end of this season (Transfermarkt), with no sign of an extension thus far, Hutchinson could be right about Liverpool offering a player of a similar position to Borussia Dortmund to maybe further soften their stance towards the Reds.
Keita did have an excellent time in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig before making a move to Anfield in 2018. So, maybe, Dortmund sees that as a barometer and signs him in favour of selling Bellingham.
All that comes in the suggestion column though. The bottom line is that Liverpool’s interest in Bellingham has been in public for some time now. Missing out on him in the summer would not just be an embarrassment for the club, but potentially affect the future dealings of big signings as well.
More Liverpool News:
- Liverpool opt out of activating Arthur Melo buyout clause
- Transfer News: Real Madrid eyeing Liverpool star centre-back Ibrahima Konate
- Borussia Dortmund ‘summon’ Liverpool target Jude Bellingham for contract talks
So, whatever it takes, the Reds need to make this deal happen. The added caveat is that this team needs more than one midfielder. So, resting on the laurel of signing Bellingham won’t be enough as well. A big summer is coming up and the Reds’ cannot afford to let it pass by without making the requisite moves.
