After a slow start in the Premier League, it is clear Liverpool are looking ahead of this season to improve their team with a new update emerging on the club’s pursuit of a top transfer target.
According to reports coming out of Spain, Liverpool are preparing an €80m (£70m) opening bid for Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham.
As per the report, Jurgen Klopp is desperate to put the failed attempt to sign Aurelien Tchouameni in the past by signing Bellingham next summer and the club are in advanced talks as the front runners to secure the midfielder’s signature.
There is no doubt that Liverpool are now in a position to freshen up their team, especially in the centre of the pitch with numerous injuries mounting, contracts expiring and players coming to the end of their careers.
Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara and James Milner are well into their 30s now with the latter out of contract in June 2023, proving that it is the perfect time to start thinking about the midfield of the future at Anfield.
After failing to secure Tchouameni’s signature, Liverpool settled for a last-minute loan deal for Juventus’ Arthur Melo but the 26-year-old doesn’t look to be a long-term solution for the club as they continue to pursue a much better alternative in Bellingham.
In terms of attacking qualities, adding more goal-scoring opportunities and winning goals to the team, the Dortmund wonderkid is by far more progressive, scoring 17 goals and delivering 20 assists over his club career so far whilst Arthur, who is six years his senior, has only managed seven goals and ten assists over his career so far.
Not only that, Bellingham ranks in the top 3% for dribbles completed compared to fellow midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues, whilst Arthur ranks in the bottom 48%. It’s not just the attacking capabilities of the 19-year-old that make him a more complete midfielder than his potential position competitor at Anfield.
The Bundesliga star, who was hailed a “Swiss-army knife” by Owen Hargreaves, won more tackles (40 v 14), had a better pressure success rate (33.6% v 32.2%), completed more blocks (64 v 13) and won more aerial duels (44% v 37.5%) than the Brazilian midfielder last season, proving that he offers a more dominant presence in both attacking and defensive play.
With that being said, the signing of Bellingham would be a monumental piece of business for Liverpool and an opportunity they mustn’t let pass them by. It could set up the Liverpool midfield for over a decade if the player continues to perform and develop well.
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