Jamie Carragher has told Football Daily he has his ‘fingers crossed’ Liverpool beat likely interest from Manchester United and City to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund.
The Reds hero is convinced that Bellingham will soon be the subject of a fierce bidding war among Europe’s elite. He also feels the midfielder has the potential to be the best player in the Premier League and could even hold a role in a side’s engine room for the next decade.
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Bellingham is just 19 years old, but is already the vice-captain at the Westfalenstadion two years after joining BVB. The Bundesliga giants paid Birmingham City an initial £25m for the 15-cap England ace in 2020, having persuaded him to reject advances from the Red Devils.
Liverpool have approached Borussia Dortmund to discuss Bellingham interest
Borussia Dortmund backed Bellingham to fulfil his emerging potential in Germany after 44 senior appearances for boyhood team Birmingham. He has since amassed 91 games for 11 goals and 18 assists in all competitions, as a vastly influential presence in the engine room.
His meteoric rise in the Bundesliga has convinced Jurgen Klopp that the wonderkid is ready for the Premier League. CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs reports the German ‘really wants’ Liverpool to get Bellingham, while Fabrizio Romano also cites recent talks over his interest.
Liverpool approached Borussia Dortmund earlier in the summer to sound out whether the North Rhine-Westphalia outfit would sell Bellingham. But BVB chiefs issued a firm rebuttal to his departure, with the Stourbridge-born star deemed ‘untouchable’ – at least this year.
Klopp interest does not surprise Carragher given Bellingham’s potential
Carragher is not surprised sides like Liverpool are interested in signing Bellingham given his efforts for Borussia Dortmund and England. Clubs like Manchester City and United chasing his signature would not surprise the Reds hero, either, given what he could offer them all.
“It’s not just Liverpool: I’m sure Man City, Man United are looking at him, all the other top clubs],” Carragher said. “When you’re buying him, you’re thinking we could have a player for the next 10 or 12 years, I think that’s the thinking.
“His ability is really good, and it’s almost the potential of what he could become. Could he become like Kevin De Bruyne is now basically, which is – for me – the best player in the Premier League? You look at him in that midfield position and you just think ‘wow’.
“Maybe Man City are thinking he could replace De Bruyne, or Liverpool could bring him in and he can add something, or revolutionise Man United’s midfield.
“I think he’s the one that stands out for everybody. I think there will be an auction next summer, and I hope Liverpool win it. Fingers crossed.”
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