Liverpool report: Jude Bellingham expected to join, as Naby Keita's contract ends

Liverpool want wonderkid Jude Bellingham and are prepared to lose Naby Keita for nothing to secure him

Posted Friday, August 19, 2022 by fourfourtwo.com

Liverpool will sign Jude Bellingham for Borussia Dortmund as a direct replacement for Naby Keita.

That's according to reports that claim that the Bundesliga-based Stourbridge teen sensation is set for Anfield, despite rumoured interest from the likes of Real Madrid. Bellingham has been linked with Liverpool since he moved to Germany.

Jurgen Klopp has a midfield quandary, however. Contract talks with Naby Keita – another midfielder who moved from the German top tier – have stalled, meaning the Guinean could leave for nothing next summer. The Reds originally paid RB Leipzig over £50 million for Keita and waited a year for him to join the club.

Now, MailOnline(opens in new tab) says that Jurgen Klopp is prepared to lose Keita for free with Bellingham becoming the direct replacement, capable of operating in the interior role in the German's 4-3-3 formation.

The 19-year-old could even take Keita's squad number, the No.8, which has strong connotations with Merseyside legend Steven Gerrard. Bellingham wears the No.22 for Dortmund, having also done so for Birmingham City – who famously retired the shirt number when they sold him to BVB.

Klopp is reportedly looking at a number of short-term options for his midfield but none have satisfied him.

The Reds have reportedly(opens in new tab) made an offer to Barcelona star Gavi, while the Liverpool Echo(opens in new tab) claimed that Aurelien Tchouameni was on the radar before his eventual move to European champions, Real Madrid. In Italy, Calciomercato has linked former Arsenal star Ismael Bennacer with a move.

Liverpool have signed Fabio Carvalho on free transfer from Fulham over the summer – and though the youngster has played predominantly as a No.10 and a wide man for the west Londoners, he may well feature in midfield for Klopp. Harvey Elliott, likewise, has slotted into the centre of midfield when he has been fit.

The Reds are dealing with Thiago Alcantara's injury problems, with the Spaniard sidelined at current, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is also on the treatment table.