"Very optimistic" - Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp "pushing hard" for £87m star

Jurgen Klopp is pushing hard to bring in Borussia Dortmund sensation Jude Bellingham, according to reports.

Liverpool have been marred by off-the-pitch speculation as owners Fenway Sports Group announced that they were “inviting offers” for the club.

Meanwhile, on the pitch, the club have endured a torrid season. Despite a crucial away win at Tottenham on Sunday, last term’s Premier League runners-up sit eighth in the table, seven points from the Champions League places, and some 15 points from table toppers Arsenal.

The fanbase has called on the club to rejuvenate the squad with January and summer signings. One man that could change their fortunes is England wonder-kid Bellingham.

‘Main Target’

The club are reportedly growing increasingly confident that they’ll be able to win the race for the 19-year-old, who has starred at the heart of the Dortmund midfield this season.

Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenburg has claimed that Bellingham is the Reds' main target and that the Birmingham-born teenager could be on his way to Anfield next summer.

Plettenberg tweeted: “LFC is very optimistic to get him [Bellingham] in 2023! He is also the main target.

“Klopp is pushing for him and Liverpool wants to invest in the summer. They expect him to cost €100m [£87m] + X. Hardly any chance [for] PSG, Barca, Bayern.”

However, the Reds will face competition for Bellingham’s signature from La Liga giants Real Madrid and Premier League rivals Manchester United.

Los Blancos allegedly want to bring in the England international as a replacement for ageing maestro Luka Modric, while the Red Devils are also said to consider Bellingham a transfer priority.

In a past tweet, Plettenburg claimed: “He’s the transfer target No. 1 for MUFC confirmed!

“They expect him to cost around €150m [£130m], they have scouted him a lot. Ten Hag wants him in 2023!

But chances are low due to competition from MCFC and LFC and due to Financial Fairplay!”

A Parting Gift?

Reports corroborated by Marca and ESPN's James Olley say that Liverpool are "all in" for Bellingham, with Real Madrid finding it hard to compete.

Los Blancos see the deal as "complicated" while Liverpool could allegedly tie up the deal for the 19-year-old before FSG sell the club. Could the youngster be FSG’s parting gift to the Anfield faithful?