"Likely winners" - Liverpool suffer massive transfer blow with rivals set to sign Jude Bellingham

Liverpool target Jude Bellingham has held talks with Manchester City over the prospect of a move, with the Borussia Dortmund star likely to sign for the Premier League club, according to reports.

The England international is one of the most in-demand midfielders in world football and is thought to be a transfer target for Real Madrid, Manchester United and Jurgen Klopp’s Reds.

However, a Mail Online report claims that the “likely winners” of what would be a major transfer battle are Man City.

Bellingham to Man City?

The publication claims that Manchester City have held talks with Bellingham and there is a “growing belief” that the 19-year-old will join the Premier League champions upon leaving Dortmund.

However, a move may not materialise “for some time” according to the report, given a strong performance at the World Cup would likely inflate the England international’s price.

It is however thought to be unlikely that Bellingham will see out his current deal, which expires in 2025.

Pep is a fan

Relations between Dortmund and Man City are strong following Erling Haaland’s summer transfer between the two clubs.

Meanwhile Man Cty boss Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Bellingham when the two sides met in the Champions League earlier this term and labelled the Birmingham-born midfielder the “whole package”.

Guardiola said: “He was 17 when he arrived but it was not just about his quality, how he was leading, his kicking, going to the referee.

“This guy was something special in terms of his mentality. Now he is 19 and he is already one of the captains.

“The quality, everybody knows it. The whole package is really good.”

Jude to star in Qatar

Bellingham has been in scintillating form this season. The teenager has netted nine goals in 20 games from midfield and captained the Bundesliga outfit on several occasions.

Meanwhile, with 17 senior England caps already to his name, he is tipped to be one of the stars of the World Cup, which gets underway on November 20.

In the likely absence of Kalvin Phillips, there is a growing expectation that Bellingham will operate alongside Declan Rice in the Three Lions midfield.