Neil Jones provides major update on Liverpool's pursuit of Jude Bellingham

Liverpool will not pay £130 million for Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, according to GOAL journalist Neil Jones.

It’s been widely reported for some time now that the Reds will be in the market for a new midfielder in 2023, with Bellingham supposedly the club’s top target.

The likes of Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Thiago Alcantara are on the wrong side of 30, while Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s contracts expire next summer. Thus, Liverpool’s midfield is in need of an overhaul.

The pursuit of Bellingham was given an update this week, with Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg reporting that he is convinced that the player will leave Dortmund next year, with Liverpool and Manchester United in the mix.

However, the rumoured fee that the German side will demand for the 19-year-old is near £130 million, a sum that would appear substantially above what the Merseyside club would usually spend on a single player.

Speaking to the RedmenTV, goal.com’s Neil Jones revealed his thoughts on the suspected fee for Bellingham:

“I don’t see Liverpool paying £130 million for anyone. I don’t see anyone paying £130 million for Jude Bellingham because of the position he plays.

“Jadon Sancho- let’s have it right- did as much for Dortmund as Jude Bellingham has done and what did they get, £70 million was it?"

"It wasn’t over £100 million. I think Dortmund will be asking a lot to get a club to sign a player who is a very, very good system player."

“You’re not talking about a Neymar or an Mbappe who basically goes and wins you matches. That is the case. We have the top 10 transfers and we looked- there weren’t many midfielders on it. Pogba was probably highest on that list.

“The World Cup is a bit of a spanner in the works, isn’t it? Both ways really. If he goes and absolutely runs the show and wins the World Cup and is the star of the show then, yeah, you’re adding on tax. 

“He could go and flop, he could go and get injured, he could go and his form might dip after the World Cup. There are a lot of variables, but Dortmund are always going to sell. They will always sell, so I think it’s just a case of they’ll try and get the best deal, but I expect he’s going to go somewhere next summer.

“He’s the next one on the rank, isn’t he? From Sancho to Haaland to him. Before that Götze and Lewandowoski, those kinds of guys. I’m not sure Liverpool are paying £130 million, but I’m not sure anyone else is either.

While Bellingham may not ultimately end up costing £130 million, the price tag will be hefty, given the level of competition the Reds face for his signature.

The likes of Manchester City and Real Madrid, two sides with ample resources, have been said to be interested.

However, Liverpool demonstrated this summer with the £85 million signing of Darwin Nunez, that they are not afraid to splash the cash.