Fabrizio Romano reveals Liverpool will overhaul three positions in five-signing spree, as Bellingham to Man Utd truths emerge

Fabrizio Romano has shed light on who, how many and in what positions Liverpool will sign players this summer, while the transfer guru also revealed what a Jude Bellingham move to Man Utd hinges on.

News broke on Tuesday night of Liverpool pulling the plug on their pursuit of Jude Bellingham. The 19-year-old England ace had long been installed as Jurgen Klopp’s number one transfer target this summer, though the growing cost of the deal is understood to have put Liverpool’s nose out of joint.

Varying reports have claimed Bellingham could cost anywhere between £115m-£135m. Factoring in agent’s fees, add-ons and the player’s sky high salary on top, Liverpool no longer viewed the move as financially viable.

If the Reds were only in the market for one player the story may have been different. However, this season has shown a major rebuild is required and Liverpool cannot afford to spend the majority of their budget on any one player.

Giving his take on the bombshell news, trusted reporter Fabrizio Romano explained Liverpool’s overhaul will extend beyond just central midfield arrivals.

Per Romano, a new centre-half and a full-back are wanted. Rhys Williams, Nat Phillips and Joel Matip could all leave to reduce the centre-back ranks by three.

Elsewhere, Liverpool are sorely lacking a dependable back-up option at right-back who can put pressure on Trent Alexander-Arnold. An attack-minded option from Ajax is understood to be under early consideration.

Romano said on his YouTube channel that under “current conditions” – being a price tag in the region of ” £125m-£130m” plus agent’s fees on top – Liverpool “decided not to continue” in the race for Bellingham.

Explaining why, Romano added: “Liverpool will refresh the squad in many positions. Midfielders, but it could also be about centre-back and full-back.

“Expect a busy summer for Liverpool with many signings. This is why spending the main part of the budget on one single player was going to create a problem for the club.”

Could Man Utd pick up where Liverpool left off?

The Telegraph are among those to report Man Utd could succeed where Liverpool have failed.

The Red Devils are known to be hunting a new box-to-box midfielder this summer, per the Athletic. Bellingham has been namechecked as being in their sights by both the MEN and Daily Mail. However, Romano revealed a Bellingham move to Old Trafford could hinge on one specific thing.

On the subject of who Bellingham might join if he does leave Dortmund, Romano namechecked Man City and Real Madrid first.

PSG admire the player too, though are yet to initiate contact. Responding to claims that Man Utd could swoop, Romano added: “It will probably depend on the owners.

“Who is going to be the owners, how much will they give [Ten Hag] to spend, and remember, the priority target remains a central striker.”

As such, if the unpopular Glazer family retains control, it stands to reason United won’t have the resources to land both a £100m-plus striker and Bellingham in the same window.

Fabrizio Romano on Liverpool transfers

Turning the attention back to Liverpool, Romano added: “Liverpool will go for at least two midfielders, probably three.

“They have to replace Oxlade-Chamberlain and Keita. They want to go for important players in those positions.

“I’m still told that Mason Mount is one of the priority targets at Liverpool, they really love the player.

“They already had some contact to understand the potential conditions of the deal, but it depends also on who Chelsea’s next manager will be and whether they can reach agreement (on a new Chelsea contract) with Mount.

“Talks will resume in the coming months, but at the moment it looks complicated [for Mount to sign an extension at Chelsea].

“Matheus Nunes of Wolves has always been appreciated, but I’m told he’s not a top priority. He’s one of the names on their list, but he’s not a top priority.

“I’m also told Liverpool are keeping an eye on Brighton. Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister are two players appreciated by Liverpool.

“In their list there is also the possibility to speak to Brighton over one of their midfielders.”

Romano concluded be doubling down on his claim a centre-back and full-back may well be signed in addition to the raft of midfield signings.

LIVERPOOL TRANSFERS: Second name off radar after Bellingham as Klopp draws up six-man list of midfield targets