Rio Ferdinand believes Jude Bellingham should sign for Real Madrid after Liverpool pulled out of the race to sign him.
Manchester United, the defender's former club, have been linked with a move for the 19-year-old but Ferdinand claimed the Red Devils' priorities lie elsewhere. This week, the Reds cooled their interest in the England international after their long-standing interest in the Stourbridge-born midfielder.
Bellingham has been widely considered as a potential candidate to solve Jurgen Klopp's midfield problems ahead of a summer upheaval in the ranks at Anfield. 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.
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"Liverpool have ruled themselves out now, (but) I think if they said they would have liked him, there was still a chance he may have gone to Liverpool," Ferdinand said.
"Just because he believes in himself and would back himself to be the catalyst to get them back up again, which then amplifies his character and his stardust.
"That maybe is something that would have excited him. Man United might offer that, but the problem is that United’s priority is a centre-forward and that’s very secondary.
"It’s a lot of money and I don’t think they can do both. If I’m him now, I probably go to Real Madrid. They’ve got a great blend of experience and young players."
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