Liverpool ‘confident’ of beating Real Madrid, Man Utd, Manchester City, Chelsea to Jude Bellingham signing – Paper Round

Liverpool lead Bellingham battle

Liverpool believe they can beat transfer rivals Real Madrid, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea to the signing of Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund this summer. The Merseyside club know that qualifying for next year’s edition of the Champions League is most likely to be a deal-breaker, but Liverpool are growing in confidence that they will be front-runners if they secure a top-four finish.

“Liverpool’s hopes of landing Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund are expected to hinge on the success of their revived bid for Champions League football.

“Spanish giants Real Madrid have earmarked both Bellingham and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland as future marquee signings and are targeting the midfielder for a move to the Bernabeu first.”

Chelsea chase De Jong

Chelsea and Manchester United are ready to go head-to-head for Frenkie de Jong this summer. The Red Devils failed in their pursuit of the Barcelona midfielder last summer after De Jong decided he wanted to stay at the Camp Nou, but the Catalan club could be forced to sell him at the end of the season to ease their reported financial problems.

“De Jong, 25, wants to stay at Barca but could be forced out due to the club’s financial situation. Club president Joan Laporta and manager Xavi see selling the midfielder as one of the ways to solve their off-field problems.

“United boss Erik ten Hag worked with De Jong at Ajax and he is again thought to be interested in going back in for him at the end of the season.”

Man Utd enter contract talks with Dalot

Manchester United have entered “advanced” negotiations with Diogo Dalot over a contract extension. The Portuguese right-back’s current deal is set to expire in 2024, after the Premier League club triggered a one-year extension in December. United are hoping to ward off interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid by tying Dalot down to a new deal.

“United are also wary of interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona, who are admirers of Dalot and are ready to pounce should an agreement on a new deal fall flat.”

Real Madrid rival Spurs in Pochettino pursuit

Mauricio Pochettino could be set to have his choice of offers to return to management this summer, according to the Standard. The 51-year-old has been out of action since departing from Paris Saint-Germain last summer. However, a romantic return to Tottenham Hotspur could be on the cards if Antonio Conte leaves, while Real Madrid are interested in hiring Pochettino too.

“The Spurs hierarchy is split on whether to bring Pochettino back to the club and he is not the only coach under consideration if Conte does leave.

“Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti’s future is uncertain beyond the end of the campaign, and the club’s president, Florentino Perez, has twice wanted to hire Pochettino as a successor for Zinedine Zidane, only to be scuppered by Spurs and then PSG.”