Liverpool pull out of Bellingham battle, say reports

Liverpool are reportedly pulling the plug on chasing Jude Bellingham this summer. The 19-year-old midfielder is widely considered the top potential prize in the upcoming summer transfer window. Borussia Dortmund can expect to receive over $125 million for their treasured player.

The BBC is claiming that the Reds would love to have Bellingham, but a long list of needs would make the club balk at his price tag. Liverpool need to completely overhaul their midfield this summer. The area is certainly the team’s weak spot in the squad. Goalkeeping, defense, and attack are still solid areas for Jurgen Klopp’s club. However, an aging midfield is essentially their Achilles’ heel.

Jordan Henderson and Thiago are both 32, while Fabinho is set to turn 30 later this year. Klopp also doesn’t fully trust Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as well. And Arthur Melo will not remain with the club after his injury-filled season on loan ends next month.

Liverpool manager Klopp has made it known he rates Bellingham

Klopp previously heaped praise on Bellingham following his impressive performances at the 2022 World Cup. “With all the things he has and things he can improve, to describe him I would say the things he can do are difficult to learn, and the things he can improve are easy to learn,” Klopp said about the midfielder.

“So, yes, he is a really good player. What can I say? I have thought that already for two or three years since he had his breakthrough at Dortmund.”

Reds need multiple top midfielders this summer

Nevertheless, it seems as if Klopp and Liverpool would rather spend the potential Bellingham fee on multiple players rather than just one. Along with getting younger in midfield, James Milner and the aforementioned duo of Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain will leave the club this summer. All three midfielders will be out of contract in late June.

The Daily Mail has suggested that Chelsea duo Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher could be viable midfield options for the Reds. According to the outlet, Klopp thinks Mount specifically would fit well into his team.

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