Liverpool pull out of Jude Bellingham race – to target his international team-mate: report

By Mark White
published

Liverpool have wanted Jude Bellingham all season long – but now one report says that they have all but given up hope of signing him

Liverpool linked Jude Bellingham applauds fans after his side's World Cup defeat to France in Qatar.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Liverpool have given up on their pursuit of Jude Bellingham altogether – and have turned to their Plan B.

That's according to one report that states the riches of Manchester City and Real Madrid have led the Reds to abandon their plan to bring the England teen to Anfield. On Monday morning, David Ornstein of The Athletic wrote that Liverpool were ever more "unlikely" to bring the starlet to the club.

But French outlet FootMercato have gone a step further, claiming that Liverpool are "pulling out" of the race.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp during a press conference ahead of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 match against Real Madrid at Anfield on February 20, 2023 in Liverpool, England.

Jurgen Klopp has put Jude Bellingham at the top of his wish list – now he might have to rethink that (Image credit: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

The report states that instead, Liverpool will move for the much more attainable Mason Mount of Chelsea, who transfer guru Fabrizio Romano says is "very likely that he will leave".

Mount has recently appointed a new agent – and as FFT suggested early in March, signing the 24-year-old would allow the Reds to reinvest across the team. 

Despite this new report, however, it seems unlikely that Liverpool will withdraw all interest from Bellingham. Thierry Henry recently claimed that the player himself wants a move to Merseyside, while there's still a chance that Liverpool will qualify for the Champions League.

Other reports have stated that Liverpool could purchase both Bellingham and Mount in their rebuild.

Mason Mount

Mason Mount has been touted as a Bellingham Plan B (Image credit: Getty)

Liverpool are seven points off the top four with two games in hand on fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

Bellingham is valued at €110m by Transfermarkt

More Liverpool stories

Jurgen Klopp has addressed the "clear need" for a Liverpool rebuild this summer – and reports suggest there could be a lot of money spent.

Josko Gvardiol is a top target, with Mason Mount on the wishlist, too. Seven other players are in the summer plans, with an eye on the future as well. A player dubbed "the next Luka Modric" could be targeted, while Benfica's latest starlet Florentino Luis is being considered. 15-year-old Kendry Paez is also being linked. 

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, meanwhile, is rumoured to be in the running for the Paris Saint-Germain management job. 

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Mark White
Mark White
Staff Writer

Mark White has been a staff writer on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, writing pieces for both online and the magazine. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also been to the FA Cup and League Cup finals for FFT and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He once saw Tyrone Mings at a petrol station in Bournemouth but felt far too short to ask for a photo.