Jurgen Klopp thinks Jude Bellingham will be world’s best midfielder and is desperate to secure record Liverpool transfer
JURGEN KLOPP believes Jude Bellingham will soon become the best midfielder in the world.
In private conversations with friends and contacts in football, the Liverpool boss has no doubts the Borussia Dortmund teen will reach the pinnacle of the game within a couple of seasons — and the German would love him at Anfield.
The big problem is that central midfielder Bellingham could cost even more than the £100million he is rated at.
A £30m arrival from Birmingham in 2020, this outstanding talent is certain to be staying in Germany this summer.
Bellingham, 18, has annoyed team-mates with his fiery attitude but has told club boss Marco Rose he is in no hurry to return to England and wants one more season at the club.
Already a key player at Dortmund, Bellingham could be worth around £150m when he is ready to leave in 2023.
Dortmund, second in the Bundesliga, are relieved that Bellingham is being patient.
Striker Erling Haaland made it clear he will leave Dortmund this summer, with Manchester City favourites to land him.
They are prepared to meet his £64m release clause, while Real Madrid have told Dortmund they are unlikely to be in a position to sign the Norwegian until 2023.
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Blue Sky thinking
SKY SPORTS used a picture of England star Bukayo Saka to advertise Arsenal’s Super Sunday trip to Watford.
The problem, though, was that they also used an image of Troy Deeney — who left Vicarage Road for Birmingham on a free transfer last August.
Prem call is real Kop out
FOUR Premier League fixtures will be played on Thursday.
Norwich v Chelsea, Southampton v Newcastle, Wolves v Watford and the first home game for Leeds under new American manager Jesse Marsch v Aston Villa.
Although some clubs appealed, wanting to play tonight, the Prem pointed out they needed to keep games away from the Champions League fixtures.
Yet Uefa have made it clear that, due to Covid, they do not mind league matches being played on the same night as Champions League games — like Liverpool’s clash with Leeds two weeks ago.
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