Jason McAteer has warned Liverpool that they might not be able to get many deals done if they want to sign Jude Bellingham because the Borussia Dortmund star is going to cost ‘£100 million+’.
The former Liverpool player added that if Jurgen Klopp is to entice the 19-year-old midfielder to Anfield, then they will need to secure Champions League football at the end of the season.
As things stand, that’s not happening because the Reds are sitting outside of the top-four places in the Premier League table.
There is still a long way to go, but as Liverpool proved in the FA Cup against Wolves, their defensive problems and issues without the ball are there for all to see.
Can Klopp add a few fresh faces during the January window in order to get them over the line because, at this moment in time, it’s a struggle? Bellingham, dubbed an ‘all-action’ player, is wanted by the elite from Real Madrid to Liverpool.
Either way, McAteer spoke about how much it would cost to sign a player like Bellingham and why he would add another £30-40 million player on top of the Englishman’s possible transfer, as he told beIN SPORTS (07/01/23 at 10:05 pm).
“We would have lost the Gakpo deal had we not done it in this window, so he had to go and do it now,” said McAteer. “You would think Bellingham is on his shopping list. But Man City seem to be in for him. Real Madrid seem to be in for him. Everyone is in for him. It’s who he chooses.
“Liverpool need the top four to entice him to the football club, or else he will go elsewhere. The midfield area needs sorting out. With the money we are going to have to invest in the midfield, I think you could only do two deals because it’s going to cost you a lot of money.
“If you want to do Bellingham, then it’s going to cost you £100m+. You might knick another one at £30 or 40 million. But then you have to get players out. You have to find somebody of quality at £30 or 40 million to come in and play a bit-part role, who is going to be on the bench because you would have Bellingham in there. You would have Fabinho, then you would mix it around with the other players.”
LIVERPOOL NEED ACTION NOW
Just like Liverpool have done with the Cody Gakpo deal, and as they did with Luis Diaz last January, a midfield player is needed this month.
Yes, the fans may feel a couple of midfielders might be needed to be brought in overall, but for now, that one fresh face is needed to boost the team as a whole.
As Trent Alexander-Arnold proved with his assist for Darwin Nunez against Wolves, the attacking quality is still there and will always be present.
It’s just a case of if those on Merseyside can stop conceding chance after chance because it’s going to harm them in their quest to secure a top-four finish.
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