Liverpool ‘cool Jude Bellingham pursuit’ amid £84m bid claims

The Times' Paul Joyce has claimed that the Reds are drawing up a list of alternative targets after accepting that they will not be bringing the midfielder to Anfield this summer.

It is reported that the club no longer considers spending 'a huge chunk of this summer's funds [on] one player' as the best strategy to adopt going forward, and that Bellingham's overall price tag would ultimately be heavily increased by wages.

The report follows an earlier claim from Caught Offside, supported by various sources within Germany, that Liverpool had submitted an £84 million bid to Dortmund for Bellingham's services.

Alongside claims of a bid, it was reported that Liverpool had not yet heard back from Dortmund - and it is unclear whether any bid has directly or indirectly led to the club's new stance over Bellingham.

With reports that Bellingham will not be moving to Anfield this summer, it could open the door for Real Madrid, who have also been credited with a long-term interest in the player, to swoop in and sign him instead.

For Liverpool, however, Jurgen Klopp and his side will likely now need to look elsewhere.

The Times claim that Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount will likely be 'the centre of attention' should he decide to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer.

Chelsea have been unsuccessful thus far in their attempts to convince Mount to stay at Stamford Bridge, and esteemed transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano gave an update last month on the likelihood of the 24-year-old staying put.

He explained on his YouTube channel: "What I can tell you is that negotiations will resume at the end of the season, that is the idea. So, May, June. But from what I understand, the new coach could change the situation, this is possible.