Chelsea have been warned that Jurgen Klopp's midfield crisis could leave Liverpool no choice but to accelerate a move for Jude Bellingham. The 19-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League since he first made a name for himself at Birmingham City.
Bellingham has been subject to long-term interest from the Blues, football.london understand. The west Londoners watched the England international during his time as an academy player but, after failing to act on their interest, Borussia Dortmund swooped in and signed the teenage sensation instead.
Chelsea and Liverpool are two of several clubs who are said to be queuing up to sign the midfielder ahead of the summer. But, with an ageing Reds side approaching a 'transitional phase', Klopp will be eager to wrap up a deal for Bellingham.
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That's according to former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie O'Hara when speaking to Grosvenor Sport. The 36-year-old said: "Liverpool are struggling. They’re having a bad time.
"Against Napoli they were absolutely awful, they could have lost that [by] six or seven. I just think they look different this year, they’ve lost Sadio Mane, the midfield has aged and Virgil van Dijk is not the same player.
"They bought in Arthur Melo and Jurgen Klopp isn’t having him, he wants to get rid of him," O'Hara added. "So, I think they’re having a bit of a nightmare at the minute.
"They’re waiting for Jude Bellingham, they’re waiting for that moment to get him. I think Liverpool are going through a bit of a transitional period this season. I don’t think they’re going to do great this season."
According to The Athletic, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Real Madrid are all interested in Bellingham. The report adds that Dortmund want to hold onto the teenage star, who has been valued at €150million (£131million). It's said that Bellingham does not have a release clause in his deal which can be activated.
The Telegraph have since added that the Blues are looking to jump the queue, with Madrid and Liverpool said to be spearheading the pursuit. The report adds that interest in Declan Rice from Stamford Bridge remains.
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