Liverpool have been linked with a move for England’s World Cup star Jude Bellingham.
Liverpool have been told to avoid paying a “stupid amount of money” for England star Jude Bellingham, and instead sign two players who can improve Jurgen Klopp’s squad at a lower price. The Reds are embroiled in a battle with the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City for the World Cup hero, who could fetch Borussia Dortmund over £100million in the summer.
Bellingham is not expected to leave the Bundesliga side in January, but a host of top European clubs are set to take part in a bidding war for the 19-year-old. Former Liverpool midfielder Didier Hamann has warned the Reds against paying £150million for Bellingham, however, and advised them to spend the money elsewhere.
“If you can sign Bellingham for £140m or £150m – a stupid amount of money – he’s an exceptional player, don’t get me wrong, but I think he still has to find his position,” Hamann told Stadium Astro. “It might make sense to bring two players in, maybe for less money, so that’d be my strategy. I wouldn’t go all in for Bellingham. I think it’s too much of a risk for such a young player.”
Liverpool are poised to make a splash in the January transfer window already, after gazumping Manchester United to a deal for Cody Gakpo. Klopp’s outfit could pay up to £50m to sign the Netherlands star, after scoring in each World Cup group stage game for Louis van Gaal’s side.
The Reds’ midfield issues have been highlighted this season due to injuries, which has prompted calls for Liverpool to recruit in the middle of the pitch. Outside of Bellingham, fellow World Cup stars Enzo Fernandez and Sofyan Amrabat have also been linked with moves to Anfield, though their transfer fees have also been inflated following their displays in Qatar.
Fernandez, who won the tournament with Argentina and was named the tournament’s best young player, could be on the move to the Premier League though Benfica’s £105m release clause puts him in a similar price range to Bellingham.
The Argentine only joined Benfica in the summer for an initial fee of £8m, and after just 13 league appearances could see the club make a profit of nearly £100m. Fiorentina could be in a similar position to Benfica and be on the verge of a windfall as Moroccan Amrabat will have impressed many potential suitors with his tenacious performances at the World Cup, and could be available for around £40m.
Hamann has also suggested that instead of Bellingham, Liverpool could make a surprise swoop for Newcastle’s Joelinton. “I always look at Joelinton as a player of the mould that Liverpool need,” Hamann told talkSPORT. “Because he can drive from midfield, he can head the ball, [is] very good technically and he has got a bit of pace about him as well.
“I think he [would be] a great addition and I hope we see a lot of him in the next few weeks and months. I would be careful with Bellingham right now, he is an exceptional talent, I think he showed it at the World Cup. But if [Borussia] Dortmund asks for £140-150million it’s a big risk as well.”
SOURCE: express.co.uk
