Former Everton and Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell has said that Liverpool will be first in line for Jude Bellingham when he becomes available.
The 19-year-old English midfielder has been linked to the Reds for what seems like an eternity, even contemplating a move for him whilst at Birmingham City.
“Jurgen Klopp likes him a lot, that’s obvious. If he comes on the market next summer, I’m sure Liverpool will be at the front of the queue to sign him,” the 52-year-old told Football Insider.
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“They’ve inquired, I’m sure, and Klopp has had the inside scoop from Dortmund – unfortunately he’s not available.”
The Borussia Dortmund man has commanded the interest of Europe’s elite since his arrival in Germany, settling in seamlessly to become a regular member of the first team at BVB.
At his tender age he has already made 134 senior appearances, with 90 of those at the top level with Dortmund.
It’s clear that the boss is a fan of the youngster, too.
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“He’s not on the market, so that’s the first problem with that player,” Klopp told members of the written press in a sit-down interview at Kirkby before the squad flew to Asia.
“Well, that’s the only problem with that player!”
Despite this, though, it is looking clear that the Reds will progress their interest in Bellingham next summer with the likely departures of James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at the end of their contracts.
But Klopp remained adamant that midfield is a very strong area within his squad.
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“So, Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago, Milner, Keita, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Fabio Carvalho, Oxlade-Chamberlain."
"Now you tell me what kind of player are we missing? One who is offensive, 1.95m and arrives into the box to head balls in? OK, apart from that!"
“They can all play different positions as well of course, Curtis can play a line higher and Harvey and Fabio can play there too."
"Fine. We can play a different system as well, where we might only need two midfielders, but then all these guys can play as a No. 10 in the new system.”
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A move for Bellingham seems almost inevitable - but this summer, as Campbell and Klopp alluded to, would be extremely unlikely.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Liverpool, Jude Bellingham, Liverpool Transfer News & Rumours