Liverpool's Bellingham plans outlined after Gakpo signing amid £60m release clause reports

Jude Bellingham remains Liverpool's top priority in the transfer market despite the club moving quickly to secure the signing of Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven.

Liverpool hijacked Manchester United's approach for Gakpo on Monday, reaching an agreement with PSV to sign the Netherlands international.

Liverpool have reportedly agreed to pay an initial £37m fee for the 23-year-old, which could rise to £45m with add-ons.

The player will now undergo a medical with the Merseyside club which, if successful, will see him complete a move to Anfield on January 1.

Liverpool have moved quickly to sign attacking reinforcements, with Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota currently sidelined through injury.

Jurgen Klopp's side could make further signings in January, with Borussia Dortmund midfielder Bellingham their top target.

Bellingham, 19, has continued to attract interest from across Europe after an impressive World Cup campaign with England.

Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea have also been linked with the former Birmingham City midfielder, while Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in a potential deal.

Is there a release clause in Bellingham's contract?

Bellingham is under contract with Dortmund until 2025 and was expected to remain with the Bundesliga club until at least the summer transfer window.

However, a new report claims the midfielder could potentially be on the move in January.

The Daily Mail claim that Bellingham may have a £60m release clause in his Dortmund contract.

If accurate, it would be a bargain price to pay for one of European football's most highly-rated young talents, who was recently ranked by CIES as the most valuable player at the World Cup with an estimated transfer value of €202m (£179m).

However, other reports claim that no release clause exists in Bellingham's contract at that clubs will be expected to pay a significant fee to sign the England star in the summer.

Earlier this month, Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg said: "Borussia Dortmund are very happy with Jude Bellingham's World Cup performance so far because he's becoming even more valuable from the financial point of view.

"Bellingham is under contract until 2025 and he has no release clause unlike Erling Haaland did.

"They're already planning for his summer exit in 2023, Dortmund would be fine with him leaving because they are confident in getting a transfer fee between €100m- €150m (£86.24m-£129.37m)."

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