Liverpool have been tipped to emerge as the front-runners in the race to sign young midfielder Jude Bellingham by a football pundit, despite strong competition from Real Madrid. Borussia Dortmund are hoping they can lure the England international into a new deal, but a transfer elsewhere looks likely, considering his contract is valid until 2025. The German football club have the advantage of being able to demand a substantial fee for the seasoned teenager, no less than £110m, according to reports. But Real Madrid and Liverpool appear unfazed by the staggering cost and are determined to secure the promising midfielder’s services. The only hurdle Liverpool faces is qualifying for the Champions League this season, as the side is currently in the sixth position in the Premier League. Speaking after Liverpool‘s defeat by Real Madrid in the quarterfinals of the Champions League, Rio Ferdinand told BT Sport that Bellingham would lean towards joining the Spanish giants if Liverpool did not qualify for next season’s tournament.
However, Paul Merson, a former Arsenal player and a pundit for The Daily Star, disagrees with Ferdinand’s prediction. He states that playing in the Champions League is not a make-or-break deal for Bellingham, and that he is more interested in playing football. Although not part of the Champions League could affect his career, Bellingham’s family’s main focus was ensuring their Son played, and Merson does not believe that missing out on the tournament for one year will taint Bellingham’s career. Rather, the young player is always on the lookout for new challenges. While playing in the Champions League would be a significant draw for Bellingham, winning the competition is even more important than playing in it, according to Merson. The young midfielder may be an example for young people who follow his career, where money is secondary to performance.
It is unclear at this stage which of the clubs in question will succeed in signing Bellingham. However, it is clear from the conversations around the transfer that the fight for the midfielder is going to be a long and ferocious one, with a hefty fee expected, particularly due to the player being touted as the next star of English football. For Liverpool, securing Bellingham’s services would be a significant positive addition to the club, as they seek to rejuvenate their midfield. Bellingham’s physical prowess and technical expertise could give the side another lethal weapon to defend their title next season, and reaffirm their place as one of the strongest clubs in European football.
In conclusion, the battle for Bellingham’s services is likely to go on for a while yet. But regardless of where he ends up playing next season, it is evident that the talented midfielder will have a bright future ahead of him.
