Liverpool’s decision to give up on signing Jude Bellingham may have come as a blow to their fans, but their rivals could be even more worried.
Multiple reports claim the Reds have ended their pursuit of the Borussia Dortmund superstar, with a £150million price tag too much to stomach during a huge summer.
Bellingham was heavily linked with Liverpool with his future up in the air, and it seemed like a match made in heaven.
However, with Jurgen Klopp’s side looking a certainty to miss out on Champions League football, the England international may well favour other options such as Real Madrid and Manchester City.
On top of that, Klopp needs a full midfield rebuild, with any available cash set to be spread across multiple names, rather than just Bellingham.
The Times claim Liverpool are ‘drawing up a list of alternatives’ which could complicate things for their Premier League rivals.
Chiefly among those would be Chelsea, who, despite their riches, are struggling to hold onto star midfielder Mason Mount.
Liverpool are interested in the 24-year-old, who could be affordable with Chelsea needing a major clear-out, and the England international having just a year left on his contract.
Chelsea could also now have rivals for Brighton duo Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo, along with West Ham captain Declan Rice, who again has a favourable contract situation.
Arsenal too have already bid £75m for Caicedo in the January window, while their chances of landing Rice could now be further complicated.
Liverpool are also said to be interested in Bayern Munich’s out-of-favour Ryan Gravenberch, with Arsenal also keen on the Netherlands international.
