Didi Hamann has noted in his Sky Germany column that Borussia Dortmund may struggle to keep Liverpool transfer target Jude Bellingham after exiting the Champions League.
Marco Rose took over at the Westfalenstadion this summer, but has the unwanted honour of being the first BVB manager to fail to get out of the group stage since the 2017/18 term.
Sporting Lisbon beat Dortmund on Wednesday to end their hopes of reaching the knockout phase. They will now drop into the Europa League, with third-place in Group C confirmed.
Hamann expects Bellingham will take stock of Borussia Dortmund’s situation as he was one of the few trying at Sporting. A trend the ex-Liverpool star feels Rose cannot let continue.
“For me, there are only two players who have completely convinced BVB in the last few months: Bellingham and [goalkeeper Gregor] Kobel,” Hamann wrote.
“In Lisbon, too, Bellingham was the only one to have captured a ball in midfield. I wouldn’t say there is a risk of it being burned. But it is unsatisfactory for an 18-year-old when he feels he is the only one who is really fighting against defeat.
“Everyone played badly in Lisbon and it wouldn’t be fair to pull out individual players. But too few players are able to iron out a mistake made by the other.
“The end of the Champions League could also make it difficult to hold Bellingham and get [RB Salzburg’s Karim] Adeyemi. The players also look very carefully at what is happening.”
Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League exit boosts Liverpool’s Bellingham hopes
Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League exit could be a boost for Liverpool’s hopes of a transfer for Bellingham next summer, then.
Reports by the Daily Star claim Liverpool are leading the transfer race to poach Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund. But Manchester United also admire the England international.
BVB are also aware of just how strong Jurgen Klopp’s interest in the 18-year-old is, per Bild. While the German publication note the Bundesliga outfit will want €120m (£101m) to sell.
Bellingham may seek a transfer to Liverpool if he feels Borussia Dortmund are not matching his development.
His stock is continually rising and the midfielder is continually a bright spark at a miserable time at the Westfalenstadion.
If BVB cannot offer Bellingham his chance to challenge at the top, Klopp might at Anfield.
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