Liverpool given hope over unbelievable transfer hijack as club chief puts Real Madrid in their place

Liverpool have been handed an opportunity to sign one of the world’s best players in a truly incredible deal after a club’s sporting director downplayed rumours of a Real Madrid move.

Real already have a brilliant squad filled with world-class stars such as Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, Vinicius Junior, Federico Valverde and Thibaut Courtois. However, they do still need to make some adjustments to the first team over the next few transfer windows.

Centre-forward Benzema is now 35 years old. Of course, he is supremely talented, but at some point he will surely begin to decline. This means the Spanish giants need to find a top-quality new striker to lead their forward line.

With Modric and Toni Kroos also in the twilight years of their careers, Real must land an extra midfielder to prepare for the future. They already have Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga in their setup, but by signing another world-beater they could make their midfield untouchable.

Real are the frontrunners to sign Jude Bellingham from Dortmund this summer, in a move which would fill that final midfield spot. And they are also interested in landing Erling Haaland from Manchester City next year so he can succeed from Benzema.

A double swoop would reunite Bellingham and Haaland following their successful time together at Dortmund.

READ MORE: Liverpool ‘in negotiations’ as Bundesliga captain eyed to replace star Klopp loves, with Jorg Schmadtke influence clear

As per the latest information from Fabrizio Romano, Real are preparing to send Dortmund an official bid for Bellingham. They have already reached an agreement over personal terms with the England star.

Romano adds that Real will be ‘respectful’ to Dortmund as the two clubs have a good relationship. Real will not send an offer until the Bundesliga title race is done. BVB could yet win the league as they sit one point behind Bayern after playing the same amount of matches.

Liverpool not out of transfer battle just yet

Despite Real pushing to get Bellingham’s signing over the line, BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl has attempted to play down the transfer links.

During an interview with Sky Sports (via Marca), the chief has reiterated his team’s strong negotiating position. Kehl also suggested Bellingham may stay with Dortmund for another year if they win the title.

“There is no termination clause and he still has two years left on his contract. He is a player who has a value for us and whoever wants him will have to pay for it,” Kehl said.

“There have been phases where I’ve had the feeling he’s leaving, others where I’ve thought he’s staying. The fight for him will intensify after the end of the season.

“I don’t see us without a chance. Because I think that if, for example, if we come out on top over Bayern it will be a sign.”

Liverpool would love it if Bellingham remained with Dortmund for an extra season. This would give them a year to come up with the funds to finally launch a suitable bid for him, having previously decided on him as being too expensive.

For example, Liverpool could improve their midfield this summer by landing Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton and then another player on loan.

This would improve Jurgen Klopp’s lacklustre midfield without breaking the bank.

And then, in summer 2024, they may be able to reach an agreement with both Bellingham and Dortmund. After all, Liverpool is thought to be the 19-year-old’s preferred destination, despite their struggles earlier this term.

Liverpool snaring Bellingham would be a huge twist and would leave Real president Florentino Perez fuming. He has already been close to bringing in Kylian Mbappe, only to see the Frenchman renew at Paris Saint-Germain.

However, City cannot be discounted in all of this. It is understood that they are keeping tabs on the situation and are ready to pounce in case Bellingham’s switch to Real falls through.

Meanwhile, Tuesday’s Euro Paper Talk includes Liverpool taking their first steps to signing a classy Dutch player.