Liverpool 'leading Manchester United in race for Jude Bellingham'

Liverpool are reportedly at the head of the queue for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham.

The 19-year-old scored his second Champions League goal of the 2022-23 campaign on Wednesday evening in his side's 2-1 defeat to Manchester City at Etihad Stadium.

Bellingham has now made 99 appearances for Dortmund since his arrival from Birmingham City in the summer of 2020, contributing 13 goals and 18 assists in the process.

BVB have the England international on a contract until June 2025, but he is widely expected to be on the move at the end of the campaign, with a recent report claiming that Manchester United were in a strong position to sign the teenager alongside Liverpool.

"He's an upcoming superstar player. I am totally convinced he will leave Dortmund in 2023, maybe to Liverpool, maybe to Manchester United," said Sky Deutschland journalist Florian Plettenberg.

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"I think these are two teams that have very good chances to get him. He's an amazing player, amazing character. Very good personality."

However, according to The Telegraph, Liverpool are at the head of the queue, with the Reds prepared to act swiftly to bring him to Anfield for the 2023-24 campaign.

Last season, Bellingham scored six goals and provided 14 assists in 44 appearances in all competitions, while he has started the 2022-23 campaign with three goals in nine outings.

"Liverpool signed Arthur Melo on loan, but they need a new top midfielder next summer and Bellingham can be the player, so Liverpool will try for sure," Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano recently said on his YouTube channel.

"In England, all the top clubs, not just Liverpool, are following Bellingham. Manchester City, for sure, but also Man United have been following Bellingham for a long time, so many clubs will be in the race."

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Dortmund are believed to value Bellingham in the region of £100m, and the midfielder has now "outgrown" the Bundesliga outfit, according to former Man United captain Rio Ferdinand.

"I think he's even sitting there like without being too arrogant but thinking 'I've probably outgrown Borussia Dortmund already' I think he'll be sitting there saying that with all due respect. Thinking I'm a year behind when I should've left because he's got that self belief that you need to take you to them heights," Ferdinand told BT Sport.

"When he played against City, one of the telling factors was the interview that Pep [Guardiola] done and he couldn't believe at his age how he carried himself, spoke to other players, his teammates who are more experienced than him. That shows his character.

"It's more interesting to work out what type of player he is and what type of player you'd get in an England shirt where I'm sure he'll play in the summer. He's combative, both sides of the game, aggressive, he's a Swiss-army-knife, he does everything. Great player."

Real Madrid are also believed to be long-term admirers of Bellingham, with the Spanish and European champions likely to be in the battle for his signature next summer.