Liverpool have stepped away from their pursuit of Jude Bellingham after the scale of their required summer midfield overhaul became glaringly apparent.
The Reds had made Bellingham their top transfer target for much of the season with Jurgen Klopp a long-time admirer of the 19-year-old England international.
Dortmund, though, have slapped a price tag in excess of £100million on the player and are under no pressure to sell with Bellingham still having more than two years left on his contract.
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With Liverpool needing to recruit several midfielders in the forthcoming transfer window, they have been compelled to reassess the viability of spending such a huge chunk of their funds on one player.
And, as reported by The Times on Tuesday evening, the ECHO understands Klopp and the recruitment team have determined they would be better served spreading the cash on several signings rather than committing the majority to one big-money arrival.
While Liverpool always knew they would need to reinforce their engine room with Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner out of contract at the end of the season, the drop-off from the likes of Fabinho means more work is required than initially expected.
Other areas of the squad may also need strengthening, with forward Roberto Firmino leaving and question marks over the long-term strength in depth at centre-back.
The Reds' transfer pot will inevitably be hampered by an expected lack of Champions League football next season - Klopp's side are in eighth place with nine games remaining, a whopping 12 points off the top four - while outside investment recently hinted at by Fenway Sports Group chief John Henry has thus far failed to materialise. Nevertheless, significant funding has already been earmarked for the summer rebuild.
Liverpool want to sign at least two midfielders in the summer, with Chelsea's Mason Mount - who is approaching the last year of his deal at Stamford Bridge and would thus be significantly cheaper than Bellingham - now emerging as the new priority.
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The Reds are also assessing the merits of another Chelsea midfielder, Conor Gallagher, and retain an interest in Wolverhampton Wanderers' Matheus Nunes and Ryan Gravenberch of Bayern Munich.
Other midfielders have been linked, including Fulham's Joao Palhinha, Brighton and Hove Albion duo Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo and Leicester City free transfer Youri Tielemans.
Liverpool have long been working with several different lists of potential targets given so many variables are at play before they can press ahead with their recruitment plans.
Klopp, though, is keen to conclude business as soon as possible ahead of pre-season given there will otherwise be a shortage of numbers in midfield due to the imminent departures.
However, it appears that will not involve Bellingham this summer, with Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain having also been reportedly tracking the player.
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