BVB talent Jude Bellingham (19) is the most sought-after midfielder in the world and has recently been associated primarily with Liverpool FC – so far there have been rumors, but now coach Jürgen Klopp has gone on the charm offensive. “I don’t like talking about money when it comes to a player like him. Anyone can see he’s just outstanding,” Klopp said at a pre-Boxing Day press conference (quoted via “Sky Sports“).
The market value of the England international was increased by 10 million to 110 million euros after the World Cup in Qatar. “He’s a really good player. What can I say? I’ve thought that since his breakthrough in Dortmund. Everyone already knew it, but I have no idea what the World Cup means in terms of money,” said Klopp about Bellingham, who is under contract with Borussia Dortmund until 2025.
“If we’re all going to do him a favour, then I really think we shouldn’t talk about money so much. I mean that from an English point of view. Don’t put any obstacles in his way as he develops,” warns Klopp. A transfer fee of around 150 million euros is circulating in the media, from which BVB should be ready to talk. Borussia took Bellingham from Birmingham City for €25m in 2020 – a month after his 17th birthday.
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The rumored price tag would not only make the Englishman the most expensive transfer in Premier League and Bundesliga history, but also the third most expensive footballer ever. Liverpool FC’s transfer record is currently just under 85 million euros for Virgil van Dijk (31). The fee for striker Darwin Núñez (23), who came from Benfica last summer for €80m, could rise to €100m thanks to bonuses.
The Reds go into Boxing Day against Aston Villa seven points adrift of the Champions League places – Klopp describes the ticket to the “premier class” as “the main goal”. Does that also play a major role for a top transfer? “If you ask a player and he says, ‘You’re not in the Champions League and I would prefer to go to a club that’s in this year and not next year’, I wouldn’t be sure I would wants this player,” said Klopp.
The former BVB coach attests Bellingham the maturity and playing style of a 28 or 29-year-old footballer: “The things he does are difficult to learn and the things he can improve are easy to learn.”
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