Liverpool may appoint Sporting Director who spotted Bellingham ‘very early’ – nearly signed him

Follow us on Google Discover

According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenburg, Liverpool are interested in appointing Sven Mislintat as their new Sporting Director.

The Reds are on the hunt for a new Sporting Director as Julian Ward is set to depart at the end of the season, and now, they’re reportedly keen on the VFB Stuttgart chief.

Of course, a new Sporting Director will lead to a rethink in the club’s transfer strategy, but there is one long-term plan that may remain in place.

Indeed, the Reds have been linked with Jude Bellingham for quite some time, and there’s reason to believe that Mislintat would be keen to pursue this deal.

Before being linked to Liverpool, Mislintat worked at Arsenal, and Tony Adams claimed back in 2020 that the German had almost brought Bellingham to the Emirates, stating that Mislintat spotted the former Birmingham City man very early.

Mislintat almost signed Bellingham

Adams spoke about Mislintat almost signing Bellingham.

“I think it got lost, this one, in the transition of the chief scout (Sporting Director) at Arsenal going out,” Adams told Sky Sports.

“He was spotted very early on, not by me, by the Arsenal recruitment office.

“The chief scout was absolutely bowled over by him and the great prospect that he is.

“He had the deal kind of done but at that moment the new sporting director Edu came in from Brazil and had no European experience and no UK experience.

“I think it got lost in the transition, Edu didn’t know anything. about this player.”

Good sign

While Mislintat didn’t get the Bellingham deal over the line, it is good to hear that he has this sort of eye for talent.

Indeed, the Germany clearly knows how to identify a future star, and if he can sniff out the next Bellingham for Liverpool, the Reds will be standing in good stead.

Of course, the fact that he Mislintat reportedly ‘bowled over’ by Bellingham, bodes well for Liverpool’s chances of signing the England star this summer, but even if they don’t land him, at least they may have a Sporting Director on board who can find these types of players early on.