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Liverpool 'optimistic' of Jude Bellingham deal thanks to irresistible Steven Gerrard offer
Liverpool are one of the clubs leading the way to sign Jude Bellingham.
Liverpool are optimistic of signing Jude Bellingham in the summer, according to reports. Jurgen Klopp is claimed to have offered the teenager the chance of becoming the Reds' new Steven Gerrard.
Bellingham is widely expected to leave Borussia Dortmund at the end of this season. His performances for club and country have attracted interest from all over Europe.
A host of clubs in England are interested in the England star, as are Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. Liverpool are among the favourites to seal a deal.
German football reporter Florian Plettenberg says the Reds are confident of signing Bellingham after talks were held. There is yet to be an official offer but Klopp is willing to build his team around Bellingham, like Liverpool used to do with Gerrard.
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Liverpool Jude Bellingham Transfer Problem
Plettenberg tweeted: "News #Bellingham: Liverpool bosses are still optimistic to sign him in summer. Talks took place but important to say: He hasn’t yet spoken personally to #Klopp so far.
"And there is no official offer. #LFC offers him the possibility to become the new Steven Gerrard."
Bellingham does not turn 20 until June but already has over 150 games of senior football behind him. He is enjoying the best goalscoring season in his career, netting nine times in 22 appearances for Dortmund.
Liverpool legend Phil Thompson recently told Express Sport of his admiration of Bellingham and would love to see him plying his trade at Anfield. Thompson said: "He’s been outstanding. I think he’s a player who only comes along once in a while.
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"Somebody so young but somebody so experienced. And I think that’s from the last couple of years playing regularly at Dortmund, which he might not have got the game time in the Premier League.
"I think he has progressed to becoming an all-round midfielder. I think he’s the sort of man who can see where he wants to play his football, at the right football club.
"I think agents get involved and it’s the highest bidder and who will give the most money. You’d like to think some agents are looking, along with the player and sitting down with the family as well, and thinking ‘what is our next best move for his career?’.
"Because at his age, he’s got a long time in the game and he will get a lot of money wherever he goes."
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