Report: 'Frightening' player looked set on Liverpool move, now Real Madrid plotting £89m swoop

By Giuseppe Labellarte

Liverpool have been heavily linked with Jude Bellingham in recent months.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein recently claimed that Reds boss Jurgen Klopp was himself leading the pursuit.

And Sport BILD reported earlier this month that the 19-year-old wanted to join Liverpool ahead of any other suitors.

However, the Anfield outfit haven’t won the race yet. And a player of Bellingham’s calibre will always have other elite clubs after him.

Now, according to ESPN, Real Madrid have readied an ambitious, big-money swoop for the Borussia Dortmund star.

Los Blancos are reportedly ready to spend over €100million (around £89million) to sign Bellingham.

They apparently view the England international as a priority signing and will hope to accelerate talks in January.

ESPN cites unnamed sources as saying ‘conversations between Madrid executives and the player’s entourage have also remained positive.

‘And the club are confident that the long-term work they have put in to convince both Dortmund and the player will eventually bear fruit.’

Shaping up to be a huge battle

It’s no surprise that Klopp wants to sign Bellingham, and is reportedly making it his personal mission to do so.

The ‘frightening‘ talent is already among the world’s elite midfielders, and has plenty of time to keep improving.

Liverpool desperately need to bolster their midfield ranks next year amid expiring contracts and ageing legs.

However, that’s a long-term problem Real also have, with Luka Modric and Toni Kroos in the twilight of their careers.

It’ll be a fierce battle for Bellingham, and Liverpool and Real will no doubt fight hard to get their man.

If Bellingham really wants to join Liverpool, that is a massive boost for the Reds.

However, they should get this deal done as quickly as possible now before other clubs try to change his mind.