Liverpool may have to pay a Premier League record fee of £130million to secure the services of Jude Bellingham, according to a new report.
The 19-year-old has been the subject of interest from Europe’s best, including Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid and the Reds.
In fact, the Athletic claimed last week, that Jurgen Klopp’s side had made Bellingham their top transfer target for the new year.
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But if they are to lure the Borussia Dortmund star to Anfield they will likely need to pay an eye-watering fee, given the youngster’s current deal runs until 2025.
German publication Bild is reporting that Dortmund will ask for a fee of £130million for Bellingham, a price far greater than the £87million it is thought Premier League clubs were considering bidding.
Dortmund have allegedly set the price to fend off any transfer war for the player until at least next summer.
If Bellingham were to go for the proposed fee it would likely be better value than the three past Premier League deals that exceeded £100million.
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Philippe Coutinho struggled for form after making the move from Liverpool to Barcelona for a whopping £121.5 million in January 2018.
Meanwhile, England star Jack Grealish has struggled for goals and assist since moving to Manchester City from Aston Villa for £105.75 million in January 2021.
Eden Hazard too has struggled for form and fitness since leaving Chelsea for Real Madrid at a cost of £103.50 million in June 2019.
Bellingham however, has been exceptional this season and at the age of 19, will likely only get better.
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The Birmingham-born star has established himself as one of the most dominant midfielders in world football and is likely to star at the heart of the Three Lions' midfield in this month’s World Cup.
Indeed, England boss Gareth Southgate has long been an admirer and even picked a then 17-year-old Bellingham for his 26-man Euro 2020 squad.
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At the time England manager said: “Jude is phenomenal.
“Just in training in the last couple of days, to have a 17-year-old, who wants to compete with senior players, not only has the technique, but the competitiveness and maturity… he’s a hugely exciting player.
“He’s going to be an important player for England. We’re not just taking him for the experience.
“The experience is going to be enormous for him and for future England managers because I don’t see anything in his character that means he won’t succeed.
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“But his performance levels with Dortmund in the big Champions League games were the things that really struck us.
“He stood up in those big moments. They are the moments we’re really assessing the players on.”
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Jude Bellingham, Liverpool Transfer News & Rumours, Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp, Gareth Southgate