Liverpool to battle Arsenal for midfield targets after Bellingham collapse

James Shearman

• Updated: 13 Apr 2023 18:09 BST
• 3 min read

Liverpool are prepared to battle Arsenal for their midfield transfer targets after missing out on Jude Bellingham.

Bellingham had been The Reds' main priority but it seems they have been priced out of a move.

They have now turned their attention to Brighton's Moises Caicedo and West Ham's Declan Rice, according to The Mirror.

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Arsenal bid £70 million for Caicedo in January, who ended up signing a new contract at Brighton.

While England international, Rice, is thought to be their top target heading into the summer transfer window, despite signing Jorginho from Chelsea in the Winter.

A transfer battle between the two clubs for these Premier League stars could see their asking prices rise even further.

This is particularly bad news for Liverpool, who have already given up hopes of signing Bellingham as they need to sign several players in the next window.

Liverpool out of Bellingham race

Liverpool pulled out of the race to sign Bellingham - previously their top transfer target - with the player outside of their price range.

"Jurgen Klopp's summer rebuild plans have been redrawn and no longer include the Borussia Dortmund midfielder because of the prohibitive cost of a deal, which would require meeting a valuation in excess of £115 million as well as matching wage demands worthy of the most wanted young player in Europe," The Telegraph reported.

It is understood Klopp will stick around for a summer rebuild after enduring his worst ever season as Liverpool manager, but with the team currently 12 points off the Champions League places, they could miss out on up to £70 million in potential prize money.

There will be money to invest in the team, but major surgery is needed throughout, with Trent Alexander-Arnold struggling at right-back and Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo struggling to replace Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino in attack.

Liverpool still need to sign midfielders - James Milner is 37, Jordan Henderson 33, while Naby Keita is set to follow Firmino in leaving on a free transfer at the end of the campaign, but Bellingham, it would seem, will no longer be their top target.