Liverpool have identified Fulham star Joao Palhinha as a cheaper alternative for Jude Bellingham in the summer transfer market, it has been claimed.
Bellingham is Liverpool ’s number one transfer target ahead of what promises to be a crucial summer for the club. A rebuild is in order for Jurgen Klopp, whose side have endured a difficult campaign and are set to lose several midfielders at the end of June.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and James Milner are all poised to leave when their contracts expire, while Liverpool will not make Arthur Melo’s stay permanent. Midfielders are needed and Bellingham has been lined up as the priority for some time.
Bellingham is under contract with Borussia Dortmund until the summer of 2025 and is being eyed by Real Madrid, Manchester United and Chelsea. He will not come cheap, with Dortmund likely to demand over £100million to consider selling the 19-year-old England star.
Liverpool are therefore hedging their bets, with Palhinha’s performances for Fulham this season marking him out as a cheaper alternative. The Daily Mail reports that the Reds are the ‘most serious suitor’, but his performances this season have attracted plenty of attention.
Fulham signed the Portugal international on a five-year deal for £20m in the summer and are understood to value him at £60m. The 27-year-old has made 28 appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals and impressing with his composure and ball-winning ability.
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Palhinha, who was suspended for Fulham’s 3-0 defeat by Arsenal on Sunday, has earned 18 caps for Portugal and would be able to slot straight into Liverpool’s midfield. He is not a like-for-like alternative for Bellingham, however, with his strengths more in winning the ball back, while the Dortmund midfielder is a genuine box-to-box player.
Klopp has been open about the need for investment in midfield. Asked last week if the emergence of teenagers Harvey Elliott and Stefan Bajcetic has altered his transfer plans, he replied firmly: “No, we need players, we cannot go with only three midfielders into a season.
"We count on them but that does not mean we will not have a look in the summer. The challenge for us with the changes we have made now or over the next few years we have always replaced a sensational player or formation, because the boys are just that good. That is how it is but that doesn't mean we don't have to make changes.”
Liverpool missed out on signing Aurelien Tchouameni last summer, as the Frenchman joined Real Madrid. Mirror Football understands that Klopp wants a holding midfielder as well as Bellingham in an ideal world, meaning Palhinha could be targeted alongside the England international.
Liverpool are preparing to face Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday after being beaten 1-0 by Bournemouth on Saturday. Klopp's side go into the second leg with a 5-2 deficit, after being thrashed at Anfield.
