Topics: Liverpool, Liverpool Transfer News & Rumours, Manchester City, Jude Bellingham
Liverpool’s tight wage structure could hamper their pursuit of talented England starlet Jude Bellingham, according to reports.
This comes as details of both Darwin Nunez’s transfer to Liverpool and Erling Haaland’s switch to Manchester City have come to light, with the Uruguayan centre-forward costing Liverpool slightly more in upfront costs, but earning a significantly lower wage than Haaland.
Lynch observed in the National News that Nunez’s £140,000 a week deal was in keeping with Liverpool’s general transfer policy over the last few years, which has been to pay high upfront fees for players, but to then put them on low wages within a tight structure.
It is noticeable that despite their recent success, Liverpool don’t have a single player in the top 10 Premier League earners, compared to 4 Manchester United players.
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This pattern has paid dividends for the team, as they have racked up a Champions League, a Premier League, an FA cup and a League Cup in recent years, alongside a Club World Cup.
Last season’s success was in large part due to the signings of Ibrahima Konate and Luis Diaz, both of whom fit Lynch’s profile in terms of price and wages.
It is understood that Liverpool are looking to prioritise a new midfielder in 2023, after their attempted purchase of Aurelien Tchouamnei fell through, amidst concern about the age of some of their players.
As a young midfielder with an impressive athletic profile and already Champions League experience, many see Jude Bellingham as the ideal Liverpool signing if he can be prized away from German club Borussia Dortmund.
However the former Birmingham City man has lots of admirers across Europe and hence there is concern amongst Liverpool supporters that their lower wages could impair a possible move.
This comes amidst rising tension between star Liverpool players and owners Fenway Sports Group.
Both Sadio Mane and Mo Salah have experienced long, drawn-out contract negotiations with the club over wages, which may be the reason they are both either departing to set to depart.
A feeling of frustration among Liverpool fans may soon brew that the owners are not willing to increase wages to keep pace with their big rivals.
