John Barnes believes Liverpool should sign Jude Bellingham next summer - but has named two other candidates who would strengthen his former side's midfield.
Birmingham City academy graduate Bellingham has been a revelation since moving to the Bundesliga in 2020 and has evolved into a key player for both Dortmund and England. After racking up 20 goal contributions in all competitions for the German giants last year, Premier League clubs have been keen to bring the highly-rated 19-year-old back to these shores.
The Reds are among the frontrunners to land the England international, who 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 impressed, enjoying a tour of the facilities.
Barnes has outlined how Bellingham is the outstanding candidate for the Reds midfield, which is a priority position for the club. Arthur Melo was signed on a season-long loan deal from Juventus on transfer deadline day but is unlikely to have a long-term future at the club with James Milner and Jordan Henderson also being phased out.
The club had been hopeful of signing Aurelien Tchouameni from Monaco this summer but the France international instead joined Real Madrid, where he now regularly lines up alongside Fede Valverde – another player the Merseyside club have maintained a long-term interest.
"Anyone of those three (Bellingham, Fede Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni) would be perfect for Liverpool," Barnes told BonusCodeBets. "I can't necessarily see Valverde or Tchouameni leaving Real Madrid at this moment in time. Jude Bellingham is one that's a possibility.
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"Valverde if you look at where he plays he is a central midfield player, but he plays wide for Real Madrid and you can see how well he attacks but he also defends really well because he is a central midfield player. And you know the way that our midfield is in a midfield three, he will fit that perfectly, as will Tchouameni. Really good on the ball but also strong defensively and works hard up and down. So does Jude Bellingham.
"You look at the way Man City play then maybe they wouldn’t fit into what Man City want but in terms of what Liverpool want from their midfield I see anyone of those three but realistically the only one I would think we would be able to get is Jude Bellingham and he would be a great signing for us."
When Bellingham was quizzed on his future prior to Dortmund's Champions League clash with Manchester City, 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."
