Liverpool are 'choosing not to afford' Jude Bellingham transfer

James Shearman

• Updated: 4 May 2023 17:58 BST
• 3 min read

Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan thinks that Liverpool are 'choosing not to' sign Jude Bellingham.

Bellingham had been The Reds top transfer target since last summer but it appears he is signing for Real Madrid.

There are reports that Liverpool can't afford to pay over £100 million to sign the England international, but Jordan disagrees.

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''I would have loved to have seen him play for Liverpool,'' he said on talkSPORT radio.

''I think Liverpool, as a competitive force in the Premier League, have been so compelling over the last couple of years.

''I want to see them back to that level because they were exciting to watch. I thought Bellingham would have helped them do that.

''And I don't quite know why Liverpool can't afford him. They're choosing not to afford him.''

Liverpool are also not prepared to meet Bellingham's wage demands, according to reports. Jordan thinks that shouldn't be an issue.

''I'm assuming they can [pay him £12 million a year] because they're paying Mohamed Salah that kind of money, if not more.''

''They can afford to pay him that, it's whether they're choosing to.''

Bellingham to Real Madrid

Real Madrid are close to completing a deal to sign Bellingham, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed.

Negotiations are at an advanced stage, according to the Italian journalist, with personal terms almost agreed.

A new meeting has now been scheduled to complete the transfer, Romano adds.

Marca adds that Real Madrid will pay up to €120 million for the Borussia Dortmund midfielder.

Madrid had emerged as the favourites to sign Bellingham in recent weeks, according to multiple sources, moving ahead of Liverpool, Manchester United and other interested parties.