Darren Bent says there will be ‘big problems’ at Liverpool if they don’t sign Jude Bellingham in the summer, but he added that he’d like to see the England midfielder secure a transfer to Arsenal.
The former Premier League striker added that Jurgen Klopp will question ‘what am I doing here?’ if Bellingham expresses a desire to join Liverpool, but the powers that be don’t put the money on the table for his signature.
In a change of events that not many expected, Arsenal could be champions of England in May, whilst Liverpool miss out on, not only Champions League football, but European football altogether.
The Reds are sitting tenth in the Premier League table, four points behind a Europa Conference League spot, five points behind a Europa League position, 11 points behind fourth-placed Newcastle United and a whopping 21 points behind leaders, Arsenal.
If those on Merseyside continue in their current ways, then it will seriously hurt their chances of getting the big boys during the summer transfer market.
Bellingham, 19, is expected to be the talk of the town, with Bent sharing where he could possibly end up, as he told talkSPORT (07/02/23 at 17:40 pm).
“He can have the pick of where he wants to go,” said Bent. “I would love to see him at Arsenal, of course. If not Arsenal, then Real Madrid.
“I think the team that needs him the most is Liverpool. Look at their midfield. You have got Jords (Henderson) their captain, but he is getting on in age. Thiago has never been blessed with that pace. You have Naby Keita, who looks like he is going to be leaving. Milner and Curtis Jones. They have all these players.
“But I think, Liverpool are the team that needs him the most. He is the one. That could be the one that breaks it all apart (for Klopp).
“If he goes to the board, ‘Bellingham wants to come to us, but we need £120 million’. If Liverpool say ‘no’ and don’t back him, then there is going to be a big problem. Klopp will be saying ‘what am I doing here? We have one of the best talents in Europe, if not the best, who wants to come to our football club. We need to make this happen.”
WHY NOT ARSENAL?
There is all this talk about Bellingham making a possible summer transfer. The teams that constantly get a mention are Real Madrid, Manchester City and Liverpool, which is understandable.
But why not Arsenal? Under Mikel Arteta, they are going places. Come the summer, there is now every chance that they are champions of England and they will be in the Champions League – Chris Sutton has pointed out he doesn’t think the ‘elite’ superstar will move to Anfield if they don’t secure a top-four finish.
They have proven that they are willing to splash the cash, their failed January move for Moises Caicedo is proof of that.
Added to that, it’s all about improving your starting XI, and whilst someone like Granit Xhaka has been outstanding for the north London club, Bellingham takes that midfield to a new level, so they should do everything in their power to try and sign the England international.
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