"Real Madrid and Liverpool" - David Ornstein drops major transfer bombshell - Man United fans will be gutted

Liverpool are amongst the favourites to sign Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, according to reliable journalist David Ornstein.

It’s been widely reported for some time now that Liverpool will be in the market for a new midfielder in 2023, with many outlets suggesting that their top target is Bellingham.

The English midfielder has a host of European clubs chasing him after establishing himself as one of the continent’s brightest young players in recent years.

The 19-year-old made 44 appearances for Dortmund last season, scoring six goals and has now become a fixture in Gareth Southgate’s England squad, managing 15 caps for the Three Lions.

Having scored at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night in the Champions League, Bellingham’s stock is only rising and will likely further increase after this winter’s World Cup in Qatar.

Liverpool are likely to face substantial competition for the starlet’s signature, although Ornstein has revealed that he thinks United may have missed their opportunity to acquire the player.

Speaking on Rio Ferdinand presents FIVE, the Athletic reporter said: “The front runners, from a perspective of what we’ve heard and seen so far, appear to be Real Madrid and Liverpool. 

“Did Manchester United miss the boat last time when he was leaving Birmingham? Because it seems they tried hard but he was determined to go to Dortmund.”

Many feel that Bellingham’s move to Liverpool is inevitable, although Jurgen Klopp will have to dissuade the youngster from joining the current Champions League winners.

The Spanish side will have the financial power to offer a similarly economically prosperous deal to the England international, but Liverpool may have the upper hand on selling the idea of a project to him.

Klopp’s squad is ageing and the German is set to rebuild the next iteration of the historic North West club, and Bellingham may be attracted to the notion of him being a figurehead for that rebuild. 

It’s likely to be a long and drawn out transfer saga that will dominate next summer, with many parties interested in the former Birmingham man.