Liverpool's German manager Jurgen Klopp (L) and Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola react during the English League Cup fourth round football match between Manchester City and Liverpool, at the Etihad stadium in Manchester on December 22, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Jude Bellingham would reportedly prefer to sign for Liverpool over Manchester City or Chelsea this summer if the option to switch to the Premier League arises.
This report comes courtesy of Pete O’Rourke at Football Insider, with it being claimed that Real Madrid remain ‘firmly’ in the race for the England international, valued in ‘excess of £130m’.
The former Birmingham City (described as ‘scary’ by Jermain Jenas during the BBC’s live commentary of the World Cup) ace has enjoyed another productive campaign in the German top-flight, amassing 16 goal contributions in 33 appearances (across all competitions) from the middle of the park.
READ MORE: Mo Salah’s agent breaks silence over Liverpool ace’s future amid exit talk
READ MORE: Star Liverpool player now ‘open to leaving’ Reds this summer; has decided next destination – Foot Mercato
It says a great deal about the player’s standing in world football that Jurgen Klopp is said to have raised his transfer priority status to another level (if such a thing is even possible given how highly the German rates him already) ahead of the summer, according to Christian Falk.
Nothing is signed, sealed nor delivered at this stage, of course, especially not whilst Real Madrid continue to lurk in the shadows.
Regardless, we’d expect the project at Anfield to appeal more by comparison if Bellingham remains truly committed to the prospect of personal development.
Though, judging by our drubbing over two legs in the Champions League Round of 16, Los Blancos appear the more enticing option at this stage, few would disagree with the idea that we can offer more playing minutes up front and fast-track the talented youngster’s development in what it is perceived to be the most competitive league in world football.
#Ep73 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: Author chat with Chris Roberts on Football, Mental Health… and more!
