£130m star could now be ‘on the move’ amid Anfield links

Liverpool may have to pay an inflated price tag for Borussia Dortmund and England international Jude Bellingham following his performances at the World Cup this winter, ahead of a potential move to Jürgen Klopp’s Anfield outfit next summer, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.

The midfielder had been one of the star performers in Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions side as they reached the quarter-finals in Qatar.

Liverpool transfer news – Jude Bellingham

According to Sky Germany (via Sky Sports), Liverpool have made Bellingham their number-one target for next summer, with Dortmund reportedly braced for extortionate offers for the midfielder next year.

The same source says that Klopp is especially pushing for a deal to get done for the 19-year-old, who has over two years remaining on his £49k-per-week contract at the Bundesliga side, with journalist Pete O’Rourke telling GiveMeSport that his addition at Anfield could be a “huge marquee signing.”

However, Dortmund will not let the midfielder go without a fight, with The Athletic reporting that the German side are planning on holding talks over the former Birmingham City man’s future after the World Cup, with the club valuing him at £130m.

And Sheth believes that his valuation could further heighten following several impressive showings in Qatar this winter.

What has Sheth said about Bellingham’s future?

Sheth told GiveMeSport: “Sky Germany have been reporting that Borussia Dortmund would be willing to do business in the summer, but the price that they’re looking for has probably inflated off the back of these performances in the World Cup.

“I mean, Borussia Dortmund must be loving the way that Jude Bellingham has been performing, but they’ll be quite wary that he’s got two and a half years left on his contract.

“So, they will probably see this summer, provided Jude Bellingham has got no interest in signing a new contract with Borussia Dortmund, that this will be the optimum time to get the maximum money for Jude Bellingham.”

How did Bellingham perform at the World Cup?

The young starlet confirmed how much potential he possesses following his displays in Qatar, a tournament in which he managed to bag his first international goal in England’s 6-2 victory over Iran.

Bellingham played in every game of the Three Lions’ run to the quarter-finals, with WhoScored ranking him as the side’s second-best performing player in the squad, with a rating of 7.58 for his showings at the World Cup.

The same stats provider shows that the midfielder possessed a pass success rate of 90.3% and won 1.2 aerial duels per 90 minutes across the tournament, showing that he can display varying qualities to become a top-level midfielder.

The main beneficiaries of Bellingham’s showings in Qatar will no doubt be Dortmund, who will know that with every top showing on the international stage comes a price increase on his transfer value, but Liverpool may just be willing to break the bank as Klopp looks to rebuild his midfield next season.

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