Jude Bellingham is set to hold a crunch transfer meeting with Borussia Dortmund after indicating to Real Madrid that he prefers a move to the Spanish giants rather than a Premier League switch.
Liverpool have been credited with an interest in Bellingham on a number of occasions in the past, with Jurgen Klopp thought to be a big fan. Meanwhile, rivals Manchester City and Manchester United are also admirers of the Englishman, but it is Madrid who have emerged as frontrunners for his signature this summer.
His starring role in last month's World Cup for England led to the Reds stepping up their interest in signing Bellingham, whose transfer valuation continues to increase. A switch in January has been ruled out, but Dortmund are willing to cash in on their star in the summer.
Klopp has admitted things need to change at the Reds following their humbling three-goal defeat at Brighton on Saturday. He is eyeing a summer revamp of the squad after insisting that he would not be "too loyal" to players as he would replace them when he could, which will be the summer window.
The Spanish giants beat the Reds to signing midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni last summer and the Merseyside club will be hopeful of avoiding a repeat. Tchouameni's signing complimented the arrival of Eduardo Camavinga at Real Madrid in 2021, alongside the continued rise of Fede Valverde.
Madrid's midfield options to succeed Toni Kroos and Luka Modric are already well-stocked. Liverpool are hopeful of adding to their squad to find long-term successors to the likes of James Milner and Jordan Henderson, with several new midfield arrivals expected in the coming transfer windows.
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A report in Diario AS has reiterated that the Spanish capital remains Bellingham's preference and his entourage have already indicated as such to Real Madrid. However, there has been no dialogue between any club and Dortmund regarding a future transfer.
A meeting has now been set by Bellingham's father and representative Mark with Dortmund, in which there will be a discussion over the England international’s future at the end of the season. The club will consider the player’s preference when speaking to potential buyers.
When Bellingham was quizzed on his future prior to Dortmund's Champions League clash with Manchester City earlier this season, the teenager explained: "The club have done loads for me and made me feel very welcome since I first came and gave me the opportunities to develop even further. To look past that and into the future would be disrespectful. It's not something I am thinking about, to be honest."
Bellingham previously spent some time on Merseyside when he was playing at Under-11 level. He had a two-day trial at the club's Kirkby academy and was impressed, enjoying a tour of the facilities, but no transfer materialised.
Klopp has explained of the midfielder: "Bellingham is just exceptional. He plays so maturely, like a 28-year-old. Everybody already knew his skills, but I have no idea what that means for the money side of it. He's very good, exceptional. He had an incredible World Cup."
