Jude Bellingham is Liverpool-bound according to Noel Whelan

FT Desk

• 3 Sept 2022 11:44 BST
• 3 min read

Arthur Melo's loan move from Juventus to Liverpool is proof positive that the Reds have a deal lined up for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham, according to former Premier League striker Noel Whelan.

Liverpool were desperate for a midfielder in the summer transfer window with Thiago, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all struggling with injury.

After being linked with Bellingham, Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong and others, they pulled off the loan acquisition of Arthur from Juventus with the window about to shut.

The Brazilian is a fine player, one who was in the 97th percentile for pass completion among midfielders Serie A-wide last season, but Whelan thinks they would have signed him permanently if they didn't have Bellingham's transfer lined up.

"It suggests to me that Liverpool are closing in on what would be the sensational signing of Jude Bellingham," the former Leeds man told Football Insider.

"Arthur's a good player, and he was available after losing his place at Juventus, but he's not the long-term answer for Klopp. It's a temporary deal to tide him over until he gets the midfielder he really want, which is obviously Bellingham.

"I'm expecting to see him in a Liverpool shirt at some point next year."

Is Bellingham worth the wait?

Bellingham has burst onto the scene since swapping Birmingham for Dortmund in 2020, and has now racked up 96 games despite his tender 19 years, winning a DFB Cup along the way.

A complete midfielder confident on both sides of the ball, Pep Guardiola was left in awe when Manchester City beat Dortmund over two legs in the Champions League quarter-finals two seasons ago.

"I can't believe it, maybe he's a liar!" Guardiola said at the time. "He's so good for 17 years old, he's a fantastic player. There was one moment when he didn't get the ball from central defenders, how he shouts and demands that ball to him at 17 means a lot."