"The reality is..." - Liverpool transfer target expected to snub Anfield move for "irresistible" offer

Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler fears Jude Bellingham will snub a move to Anfield for the "irresistible" draw of Real Madrid.

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Bellingham is wanted by a number of top clubs after cementing his reputation as one of the world's best midfielders with a series of impressive performances for England at the World Cup in Qatar.

Liverpool and Real Madrid are both keen to sign the 19-year-old, while Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked with the former Birmingham City midfielder.

Bellingham is under contract with Dortmund until 2025 and he is expected to remain with the Bundesliga side until at least the summer transfer window, with talks over his future due to take place with the club this week.

Liverpool were initially thought to be favourites to sign Bellingham in the summer but recent reports claim that European champions Real Madrid may have moved ahead of the Reds in the race for the England international.

Fowler fears Bellingham will snub Liverpool

Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler fears Bellingham may prefer to play for Real Madrid, where major trophies are almost guaranteed, rather than moving to Anfield – using his former teammate Steve McManaman as an example.

"Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United would all love to bring Borussia Dortmund's brilliant midfielder 'home' to the Premier League," Fowler wrote in his column for The Mirror.

"But the news that Real Madrid also have designs on taking Bellingham off Dortmund's hands has added another tantalising twist to the plot.

“Madrid are said to be confident that they will win the race, according to the latest reports from Spain. But they would think that, wouldn't they? After all, they're Real Madrid and are used to getting what they want.

"But the reality is that the irresistible lure of wearing that gleaming all-white kit at the Bernabeu every other week is much more than just another footballing cliche. I saw how my mate Steve McManaman had his head turned by the chance to move to Madrid back in 1999.

"Steve loved playing for Liverpool. They would have given him a contract for life to stay at Anfield.

"But when Real made their play it was a game-changer. Steve knew it was an offer he couldn't refuse - and he spent the next four years winning Champions League and La Liga titles playing alongside Galacticos like Ronaldo, Zidane, Figo, Raul and Eto'o."

Fowler believes that if Bellingham does indeed move to the Bernabeu, he should look to follow McManaman's example and fully immerse himself in Spanish culture.

"The key to Steve’s success was that he embraced everything - from the Spanish language and culture to learning about the glorious history of his new club," added Fowler.

"He became a hugely popular figure in a dressing room full of megastars. And that's why Bellingham's spectacular development at Dortmund has been so impressive. Steve was 27 when he went to Spain.

"He was a seasoned England international at the peak of his powers who knew what was required to settle into a dressing room packed with top players because he had spent a decade at Anfield.

"Bellingham moved to Germany barely a year after leaving school. But he opened himself up fully to a new language and lifestyle off the pitch. And the passion he has shown wearing Dortmund’s famous yellow shirt has made him a hero with the club’s fanatical supporters. Bellingham would improve any team in the world."