By
Jude Bellingham has reportedly made Liverpool his first choice destination should he leave Borussia Dortmund this summer amid reports that the Reds are finalizing their transfer deals early.
Dortmund have opened talks with Bellingham over a new deal and the 19-year-old could reportedly decide to stay with the Bundesliga side, who will ask for more than £130m if any clubs wish to take him away.
Liverpool are said to be ready to match that fee, but are aware that Champions League qualification could be crucial in sealing his move.
But sources have told Football Insider that Bellingham’s preference would be to join Liverpool if they move this summer.
Bellingham is still held in the highest regard by Klopp second Times Journalist Paul Joyce, who wrote: ‘The Borussia Dortmund teenager remains the apple of Klopp’s eye and the Liverpool manager will believe that with the 19-year-old on board, what has at times appeared as a chasm would shrink from’ today to tomorrow.
“He sees Bellingham as a revolutionary figure and that’s a view Klopp would like to share with the England midfielder.”
Spanish publication National stated on Friday that Klopp seeks ‘double robbery’ from under Real Madrid’s noses with deals not only for Bellingham but also for RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol.
They describe a deal for Bellingham – who have long been linked to Liverpool – as being ‘in the bag’ after the England international ‘has already decided to leave Germany next summer’.
Liverpool “also want to sign” Real Madrid are aiming for Gvardiol and the Reds are considered “one of the favourites” for the Croatian centre-back and the Premier League side are ready to “take another one of Florentino Pérez’s wishes”.
Despite knocking Liverpool out of the Champions League 6-2 on aggregate this week, Nacional add it is Real Madrid who could be “the ones that could receive a sporting humiliation” in the transfer market.
And another Spanish publication, transfersinsists Liverpool are also “close to signing” Ryan Gravenberch from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.
READ MORE: England’s World Cup-winning captain and Man Utd slayer features in FA Cup underdog XI
