Liverpool advised to push through incredible £250m double deal as Jude Bellingham gets ringing endorsement from Julian Nagelsmann

Liverpool target Jude Bellingham has found himself earning some surprise compliments from Julian Nagelsmann after the Bayern Munich manager offered his thoughts on the crowning of Gavi this week as the world’s best young player.

The Kopa Trophy – presented to the best young player in the world under the age of 21 at the annual Ballon d’Or awards – was this year handed to Gavi. However, there was some surprise when the award was presented to the Barcelona star, with many suggestions others merited the award before him.

With Gavi top of the podium, he beat Eduardo Camavinga (second) and Jamal Musiala (third) to the prestigious award. Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka was the only Premier League star to finish in the top 10, claiming eighth.

But the coronation of Gavi as the elite young star in the world game has not gone down well with Nagelsmann.

The Bayern Munich boss feels that both his own star Musiala and Dortmund midfielder Bellingham are both ahead of him right now.

Nagelsmann was quoted by Marca as saying: “Of course one has the club’s glasses on, but generally I also have my own opinion.

“I do not agree with that vote. In my In my opinion, Jamal (Musiala) and Jude Bellingham have had a better season than the winner. From my point of view, they are both ahead of Gavi.”

Nagelsmann’s words seem to carry some weight given his development of some of the world’s best young talents.

And it remains to be seen just how long Dortmund will be able to keep Bellingham in the Bundesliga.

Liverpool are firmly fixed on his signing, though three separate sources all paint a worrying outlook for Jurgen Klopp.

Liverpool told to sign Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice

However, the Reds are far from alone in their pursuit of the talented teenager.

Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United are also reportedly keen. However, a reported intervention from Erling Haaland could yet take the deal away from all four sides’ grasp.

For Liverpool, though, their need to strengthen their midfield is well documented.

The Reds will likely lose Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as free agents next summer. And with James Milner turning 37 in January, the sands of time are running out on his Anfield career.

As such, Klopp is looking to sign potentially two world-class replacements in 2023.

Assessing their transfer needs, pundit Paul Robinson is advising Klopp to go out and sign Bellingham and Declan Rice.

While both deals will likely set them back a combined £250m, Robinson reckons the pair are exactly what Liverpool need.

“If Liverpool are a European superpower they should sign both. They would both fit in excellently well,” he told Football Insider.

“It is an area (midfield) Liverpool are struggling in.

“It would be difficult financially to get both Rice and Bellingham but it would be a price worth paying in my opinion. They are two brilliant players who have their best years ahead of them.”

Liverpool cannot afford both

Despite Robinson’s claims, the Reds cannot afford to buy both players over the next two windows.

And while Bellingham remains the No 1 target, any second signing is likely to be a more modest target.

To that end, Liverpool are also reportedly eyeing Frenkie de Jong – with Casemiro seemingly giving them a helping hand.

However, the Dutchman would also cost around £65m – and it does seem like a case of one or the other for Liverpool.

The Reds, though, will almost certainly try and address the issues as soon as January rolls around. Liverpool have a history of making January splashes with Virgil van Dijk, Luis Suarez and Luis Diaz all arriving in the winter window.

Whether Bellingham is the next one remains to be seen.

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