Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool face an uphill battle this coming summer to land their long-standing transfer target Jude Bellingham, arguably the most coveted name in the market.
The former Birmingham City starlet has been linked with a move back to England later this year with the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea waiting eagerly in the wings to swoop in for the 19-year-old.
A move to Spain, meanwhile, is also rumoured to be amongst the possible options for Bellingham with the European champions Real Madrid keeping close tabs on his situation amid reports suggesting that Carlo Ancelotti’s side had entered into negotiations with the player’s camp.
Liverpool are desperate to rebuild their underwhelming midfield roster over the summer and Bellingham was said to be the top name on the shopping list for the boss Klopp but with the steep asking price likely to be demanded by Borussia Dortmund besides the chance that the Reds do not qualify for next season’s Champions League, there could be a plan B for Liverpool should they fail to bring in the England midfielder.
Here are 5 alternatives to Bellingham we believe could be just the signing Liverpool require –
1. James Maddison
Maddison has been one of the standout performers for a struggling Leicester City side this season and he is mulling over heading out the exit door at the King Power Stadium before the next campaign gets underway.
A handful of the Premier League big boys remain keen on his signature and Jurgen Klopp’s Merseysiders have thrown their hat in the ring for the Three Lions playmaker.
2. Joao Palhinha
The Portugal international made the move to England last summer to sign for the then-newly promoted Fulham and Palhinha’s showings in the engine room have not gone unnoticed.
Liverpool have recently been credited with a strong interest in the Fulham maestro who could cost in the region of £60 million, a price tag less than half of Bellingham’s valuation.
3. Matheus Nunes
Another of the new boys in the English top flight, Matheus Nunes, signed for Wolves last summer despite being heavily linked with a transfer to Liverpool.
Klopp could be enticed to reignite his interest in the Portuguese midfielder who has endured a topsy-turvy debut campaign in the Midlands but is reckoned to be an influential figure in the heart of the pitch.
4. Ruben Neves
The third Portuguese international on this list and Nunes’ Wolves teammate – Ruben Neves – has been a name on the shopping list for Premier League bigwigs Manchester United and Chelsea in the recent past.
Liverpool are understood to be monitoring his situation at Molineux ahead of this summer’s transfer window as Wolves are resigned to losing out on Neves who has turned down offers from the club to pen a new deal.
5. Mason Mount
Apart from Bellingham who has courted serious interest from Liverpool over the last year, another of England’s biggest talents in the Chelsea playmaker Mason Mount has the Reds involved in his pursuit.
Mount’s talks with Chelsea over a new long-term contract have hit a roadblock and the Blues could be willing to sanction his exit this summer to avoid losing him on free in 2024.
