Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand thinks that Jude Bellingham will be having second thoughts over moving to Liverpool following their Champions League exit.
Bellingham is going to be the hottest property in the summer transfer market, and the three clubs chiefly in the running to sign the Englishman are Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Manchester City.
Ferdinand on Bellingham
“I just think that if he watched that tonight he must be thinking, ‘if Real Madrid and Liverpool are in for me, there’s only one place to go!”
Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen did not disagree with his fellow pundit – saying,
“If you’re Jude Bellingham and you’ve got a pick of a host of clubs, and Liverpool are in transition at the moment, it might not be the right answer for him.”
Karim Benzema’s late goal knocked Liverpool out of the UCL on Wednesday night. Jurgen Klopp’s side looked extremely lackluster and devoid of creativity at Santiago Bernabéu.
Unable to win a significant trophy this year, the Reds’ best chance now is to finish in the top four of the Premier League which is no guarantee given their current form.
Bellingham is the top transfer target for Liverpool ahead of what looks to be a pivotal summer for the team.
Klopp’s team have endured a challenging season and is expected to lose a number of midfielders at the end of June, making a rebuild necessary.
The Midfield Reinforcement
Henderson, Fabinho, and Thiago are all past their prime, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Keita, and Milner are all poised to leave when their contracts expire, so Bellingham would be a monumental signing if the Reds can get a deal over the line.
Although, Bellingham will not come cheap. BVB has made it clear that it will take £130m to let the teenager leave this summer.
If Liverpool are unable to qualify for the Champions League spot, then, that’s going to put more pressure on the purse strings.
The Merseyside club probably won’t have the money to go and do it as Liverpool aren’t awash with money.
Thus, the Reds have identified Fulham star Joao Palhinha as a cheaper alternative for Bellingham in the summer transfer market. The Portugal international is impressive with his composure and ball-winning ability.
However, the quality of Bellingham can not be denied, and if Liverpool needs to compete for major trophies across Europe, the BvB midfielder will play a key part.
Passionate about the beautiful game and dedicated to Liverpool FC, where “You’ll Never Walk Alone” is not just a slogan, but a way of life. I live and breathe football, from the roar of the Anfield crowd to the tactical intricacies of the sport.
My expertise lies in dissecting the transfer market, tracking player movements, and uncovering the hidden gems destined for greatness. Whether it’s discussing potential signings, analyzing match strategies, or celebrating the brilliance of players, I’m always ready for a football conversation.
