Liverpool appear to have conceded defeat in their long-standing pursuit of England midfielder Jude Bellingham who was a prized target for the Reds ahead of the summer transfer window.
Bellingham, who has excelled for his club Borussia Dortmund and the Three Lions over the past year and a half, has been heavily linked with a move to a big-name club this coming summer with the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid waiting eagerly in the wings.
Jurgen Klopp, however, might not land Bellingham’s coveted signature later this year, according to the rumour mill, with Liverpool expected to look at other ‘cheaper’ alternatives in the transfer market considering Bellingham’s hefty price tag with Dortmund unwilling to budge on the pricing front.
Sitting eighth in the league table with eight games left to play for in the Premier League, Liverpool’s chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League are reckoned to be slim and should the Reds not turn out in Europe’s elite club competition, Bellingham would be keen to mull over signing for other suitors despite his reported affection for the Anfield camp.
In such an event, Liverpool will be sure to keep tabs on their other midfield targets with some of Europe’s biggest talents linked with a switch to the Merseyside.
Here are 3 names who have recently emerged on Liverpool’s transfer radar after the Bellingham setback :
1. Conor Gallagher
Gallagher was tipped for a bright season at Stamford Bridge when he returned to Chelsea last summer following a prolific loan spell with Crystal Palace.
The England international, however, has struggled to impress in west London with Gallagher unable to nail down a regular spot in the first XI under three different men in the Chelsea dugout this season – Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Frank Lampard.
Amid speculation doing the rounds that Chelsea are will listen to offers for Gallagher in the summer window, Liverpool are considered as a serious contender to sign the former Palace loanee.
Newcastle United, West Ham, Crystal Palace and Everton are the other clubs in the mix for the 23-year-old midfielder who is under contract in the Chelsea shirt until 2025.
2. Nicolo Barella
Barella was heavily linked with Liverpool last summer before Jurgen Klopp decided to postpone his plans of bringing in a fresh pair of legs for his engine room.
The Euros winner has been a star turn for Inter in recent years and is well known for his technical ability in the middle of the park which could be of much importance to Liverpool’s fortunes for the new season.
Barella certainly wouldn’t come for a knockdown asking price considering Inter’s financial woes but the Italy international will be a cheaper alternative to Bellingham for Liverpool and Klopp.
3. Ryan Gravenberch
The latest name to have caught Liverpool’s attention ahead of this summer is Bayern Munich first-teamer Ryan Gravenberch who made the move to Germany from Ajax in 2022.
His stint with the Bavarian giants, however, has been a frustrating one with the Dutch midfielder struggling for regular game time at Bayern, starting just once in the Bundesliga this term.
Liverpool’s interest in the 20-year-old could turn into something more concrete in the coming weeks with Gravenberch believed to be open to moving to the Reds for a much-needed career lifeline.
