Liverpool have been dealt a blow in their bid to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund next summer, according to reports.
The England international is expected to depart Signal Iduna Park at the end of this season, by which point he will have been with the German giants for three years.
Liverpool were previously thought to be at the front of the queue for the midfielder's signature, but that may no longer be the case.
According to Goal, Bellingham would prefer to join Real Madrid than move to Anfield ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
Madrid are set to make the 19-year-old their primary transfer target next year, having dropped out of the race to sign Enzo Fernandez, who looks set to sign for Chelsea in the winter window.
And Bellingham has reportedly informed his representatives that his intention is to move to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
The former Birmingham man, who is valued at £97.3m by Transfermarkt, is prepared to snub an offer from Liverpool in order to realise his dream of turning out for Madrid, the current European champions.
The Reds may therefore need to seek alternatives to Bellingham as they prepare to refresh midfield.
Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Thiago Alcantara are all the wrong side of 30, while Fabinho will reach that milestone birthday next year and loanee Arthur Melo is set to return to Juventus in the summer.
Jurgen Klopp's side, who currently sit sixth in the Premier League table, will return to action against Leicester on Friday.
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