"What a player" - Liverpool "big favourites" to sign star who could be the "real deal"

Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour has said that Liverpool will be favourites for the signature of ‘real deal’ Jude Bellingham next summer.

The ‘Romford Pele’ was speaking on TalkSPORT about the future of the 19-year-old Englishman, who has been long thought of as the Reds’ main transfer target in the midfield area.

Publications such as The Athletic, Marca and the Sunday World have reported Liverpool’s profound admiration and desire for the Birmingham City graduate.

Parlour thinks that he would likely choose Jurgen Klopp’s side ahead of any other potential suitors - in contrast with Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony, who rubbished any thoughts of Liverpool swooping for his signature.

“I look at Bellingham, and he could definitely be the real deal. And you can’t believe his age.

“He is going to be a real star for the future, and we want to see him in the Premier League. Obviously Liverpool maybe would be big favourites to sign him. What a player, what a player!”

The midfielder is a huge talent - having already amassed over 150 senior appearances before his 20th birthday for club and country.

Depending on how well Borussia Dortmund do in the domestic cup and European competition, that could be 200 by the end of the season.

He has become vital for BVB, even captaining the side in the absence of Marco Reus and Mats Hummels in their UEFA Champions League victory over Sevilla - this put him third in the all-time youngest skippers in the competition, pipped by Ruben Neves and Matthijs de Ligt.

Liverpool are in desperate need of a midfield overhaul with an inconsistent start to the season likely hampering a title challenge of any sort.

James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are out of contract at the end of the season, with Jordan Henderson and Thiago both ageing.

At least one midfielder is expected to come through the door at Kirkby come 2023 - with many a Reds fan hoping it is Bellingham.