Liverpool may have received a huge boost in their pursuit of Jude Bellingham as a result of Manchester City’s movements in the transfer window this summer.
The Merseyside club have been heavily linked with Bellingham for some time now, although a deal with Borussia Dortmund is not expected to happen in this window.
Jurgen Klopp is more likely to move for the former Birmingham City man in the summer of 2023.
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However, despite the concrete links, Liverpool could face several obstacles in their attempts to secure the player, who is also said to have been the subject of interest from the likes of Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.
Both of these competitors would be able to outmuscle the Reds in a wage battle for Bellingham, with their financial resources significantly trumping Liverpool’s.
Thus, City’s imminent acquisition of Kalvin Phillips may make them less likely to move for someone like the Dortmund man next summer.
Phillips is being brought in from Leeds to provide cover and competition for the likes of Rodri in the number six position and Ilkay Gundogan in the eight role.
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Bellingham also operates in these roles, so City are unlikely to require another player in this position next year.
This potentially rules Pep Guardiola’s side out of the equation with regards to the race for the 18-year-old, opening the door up for Liverpool as the frontrunners.
After signing Darwin Nunez for £85 million from Benfica, as well as bringing in prospects Fabio Carvalho and Calvin Ramsay, Klopp isn’t expected to conduct any more incoming business in this window.
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However, the focus next summer could be on rebuilding an ageing midfield.
Thiago Alcantara, Jordan Henderson and James Milner are all on the wrong side of 30, while Naby Keita and Alex-Oxlade-Chamberlain have just a year remaining on their current deals.
Bellingham could be seen as a long-term solution in this area, while the likes of Gavi and Nicolo Barella have also been linked with the club recently.
This is a transfer saga to keep an eye on.
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Topics: Liverpool, Liverpool Transfer News & Rumours, Manchester City Transfer News & Rumours, Jude Bellingham