'Bellingham's dad talking to Liverpool'

Stuart Telford

• 19 Jan 2023 10:31 GMT
• 3 min read

Jude Bellingham would appear to be edging closer to joining Liverpool ahead of Real Madrid and Manchester City with his father Mark reportedly in talks with the Anfield club.

Bellingham has emerged as one of the most in-demand players in world football; one of the first names on Gareth Southgate's England teamsheet who has already led Dortmund out in the Champions League at the tender age of 19.

Dortmund have said they wouldn't stand in Bellingham's way "if one of the really big clubs" got involved in his transfer, and they are expected to let him go next summer if they receive a bid in the region of €120 million.

READ: Liverpool’s transfer plan to revolutionise their midfield this summer

Liverpool, City and Real are some of the few clubs who could afford such a transfer fee. City's financial muscle and Dortmund old boys' network - Erling Haaland, Manuel Akanji, Sergio Gomez - could help them, while Real Madrid's prestige goes without saying.

But Bellingham's father Mark is talking to the Reds first.

'Gut says Liverpool'

"Our information is his father's talking to Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp wants to sign him at Liverpool," Bild TV presenter Valentina Maceri told Sky Sports. "And Klopp said if Bellingham were to decide for the money, he's not going to choose Liverpool.

"But if Bellingham would decide on his personal development, on his development as a player, on tradition and the love of the game he could decide for Liverpool. And my gut is that maybe we could see him at Liverpool."

READ: Liverpool make 'cheat offer' to beat Real Madrid to Bellingham

Bellingham's father Mark is a non-league goalscoring legend who past 700 strikes down the divisions in 2016. There are further reports that he has been offered a scouting role with Liverpool, while the Reds are also keeping tabs on Bellingham's younger brother Jobe, who is still at Birmingham.

Bellingham still has time to decide, but Liverpool are anything but out of the race.