Liverpool are reportedly growing increasingly optimistic about their chances of winning the race for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham.
The 19-year-old is expected to be one of the most sought-after players in 2023 after starring for both club and country since making the move to Germany.
Bellingham left Birmingham City at the age of just 16 to sign for the Bundesliga giants, and he immediately established himself as a starter for the Black and Yellows.
The teenager was also one of the first names on the teamsheet for Gareth Southgate at the 2022 World Cup, registering one goal and one assist from five starts as England reached the quarter-finals.
Bellingham is not due to become a free agent until the summer of 2025, but Dortmund have seemingly resigned themselves to losing the much-coveted youngster at the end of the season.
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Liverpool, Real Madrid, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are believed to be the four realistic contenders to sign Bellingham, with neither Manchester United nor Chelsea expected to formalise their interest.
The Reds appear to have stolen a march on their rivals in recent weeks, though, and The Mirror claims that Anfield chiefs are now even more confident of bringing Bellingham to Anfield.
The report claims that Jurgen Klopp has informed the powers-that-be of his desire to sign Bellingham for a year now, and he has asked for financial support from Fenway Sports Group to conclude a deal.
John W Henry has supposedly promised Klopp that he will do everything in his power to help him in his pursuit of Bellingham, and lingering uncertainty over a possible takeover will not impact those plans.
Furthermore, Bellingham struck up a friendship with Jordan Henderson during the World Cup, and he was also seen in close proximity to Trent Alexander-Arnold on several occasions.
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It is believed that the relationship between Henderson and Bellingham could work in Liverpool's favour, and the 19-year-old's father Mark Bellingham supposedly feels that Anfield would be the ideal next destination for his son.
Dortmund are not expected to sanction a sale in January, but a fee close to £100m could apparently do the trick in the summer, and BVB are already scoping out potential replacements.
A recent report had claimed that Liverpool struck an agreement in principle to sign Enzo Fernandez from Benfica, thereby allowing Real Madrid a clear run at Bellingham.
However, such claims are thought to be wide of the mark, and Real may be reluctant to splash the cash again next year after concluding the signing of 16-year-old Palmeiras wonderkid Endrick for a fee of £62.8m.
Bellingham has recorded 19 goals and 21 assists in 112 matches for Dortmund since 2020, including nine strikes and three assists from 22 outings in the 2022-23 campaign.
Ben Knapton
