Liverpool have reportedly given up their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham.
The Reds were keen on signing Bellingham this summer after identifying the Englishman as the face of their new project.
But new reports on Tuesday claim that Jurgen Klopp’s men have dramatically decided to pull out of the race to sign the youngster as they prioritise a significant squad rebuild instead.
Read more: Jurgen Klopp’s wants Nicolo Barella to strengthen his struggling midfield
According to a report by GOAL, the financial outlay needed to sign Bellingham this summer convinced Liverpool to abandon the deal and seek cheaper alternatives that would benefit the entire team.
Borussia Dortmund had placed a £120 million ($149m) price tag on the 19-year-old, who has two years left on his contract but who is expected to look to move clubs at the end of the season.
Liverpool believe they could get two or three other quality players with that amount and have taken the early and pragmatic decision to focus on a group of signings this summer rather than one stellar addition who would blow their entire kitty.
Klopp and the Liverpool transfer team have identified Chelsea’s Mason Mount as a possible alternative to Bellingham. The England midfielder will cost way less than Dortmund want for Bellingham, given that he has a year left on his contract at Chelsea and wants to leave Stamford Bridge. As a result, the Blues will be forced to sell him this summer to avoid losing him for free next year.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s interest in Wolves’ Matheus Nunes is understood to have cooled. Still, Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella, Bayern’s Ryan Gravenberch, Atalanta’s Teun Koopmeiners and Luka Sucic of Salzburg are all admired.
