Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham are “very close” to coming to an agreement over a 2023 transfer, according to Christian Falk.
The Reds are in the race to sign the talented teenager alongside the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Chelsea.
Bellingham is expected to depart Dortmund next year, with a summer transfer more likely than one in the winter window.
He will cost more than £100million – and his terrific performances for England at the World Cup will have seen Dortmund’s valuation rise.
The 19-year-old has spent lots of his spare time in Qatar with Liverpool stars Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson, adding fuel to the fire as Jurgen Klopp’s side try to negotiate a transfer.
After it looked like City were the frontrunners to sign Bellingham, it has been reported by Bild that Liverpool are now leading the race.
There have been reports stating that the England midfielder prefers a move to Anfield, and Dortmund managing director Carsten Cramer recently admitted the Merseyside club is his “preferred” destination for the player.
And now Sport Bild correspondent Christian Falk has said some very positive things about Liverpool’s pursuit.
Falk believes Bellingham’s exit next year is inevitable and says his agent and family are “really focused” on moving to the Premier League club.
The German journalist told The Anfield Wrap (as cited by This Is Anfield): “We’re [the Bundesliga] going to lose Bellingham like Haaland next summer, it’s getting closer and closer.
“You heard the news, you will have heard that Bellingham and Liverpool are very, very close.
“There have been many, many talks. His father Mark, mother Denise are in the negotiations together with his agent Mark Bennett, they are really focused on Liverpool.”
Falk adds that Liverpool and Dortmund are not close on their valuation. This is “the only problem”, however, which bodes well for the Reds.
“The only problem could be money,” Falk said. “This is the thing – I don’t know how far Liverpool are in this case with Dortmund.
“This will be an advantage for City, for Chelsea, who are also in the race. But we heard clearly – if Bellingham can decide it, it’s Liverpool.
“He has no clause [in his contract]. So €150 million is at the moment, the point. I think that’s about £130 million, I guess.
“And I heard Liverpool would pay, at the moment, €100 million – which is about 86 million in sterling. So I’m not sure if they find a solution so early.
“Perhaps the Fenway group is selling the club, the new owner makes a present to supporters – then it would be easier!”
Liverpool have not enjoyed the strongest of starts to 2022-23 and could miss out on Champions League football as a result.
Even if Klopp fails to guide his side to a top-four finish, Bellingham would be happy to join, Falk claims.
“It’s not an easy decision, but Liverpool is bigger than the Champions League,” he added.
“I think for one year, that’s not a problem for him.”
When asked what he personally thinks will happen, Falk said that his gut feeling is that Bellingham will be a Liverpool player next season.
He continued: “I think it will happen, but in the end, it’s the point of the player and the point of Liverpool.
“It’s a question of money. If Liverpool can’t pay Dortmund it will get difficult, because in the end, he has a contract, and if they can’t find a solution with the transfer fee, that’s the point where Real Madrid can knock again, Chelsea can knock again, and especially City can knock again, because Pep Guardiola is also a man who can talk to players very well.”
READ MORE: Top ten greatest England finals performances of our lifetime (we are quite old but not *that* old)