Liverpool accused of making 'cheat offer' as Bellingham transfer race hots up

Liverpool have been accused of making a 'cheat offer' in the battle for Jude Bellingham by offering the England star's father a job with the club.

Bellingham, who impressed for the Three Lions at the 2022 World Cup, has been linked with a summer move away from current club Borussia Dortmund. Jurgen Klopp's Reds have long been admirers of the 19-year-old, but they could face competition from the likes of Real Madrid - despite recent claims from Carlo Ancelotti - and Manchester City.

Fresh reports, however, have suggested the Anfield club are prepared to offer the midfielder's father Mark a scouting job with the club. The Reds are also said to be keeping tabs on Jude's younger brother Jobe, currently at Birmingham City, and the Spanish media do not seem delighted by the developments.

Spanish publication Nacional (via football365 ) has described the plan from Liverpool as a 'cheat offer' aimed at blowing Real Madrid out of the water. The outlet has also made reference to Los Blancos' 'advanced' talks over Bellingham.

Liverpool are also reportedly ready to gazump Real Madrid when it comes to Bellingham's wages, while offering him a guaranteed spot in the team. While there is an obvious gap in the Reds' midfield for the England star, he would need to get past the likes of World Cup finalists Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga to hold down a long-term starting role at the Bernabeu.

Bellingham is believed to have had talks pencilled in with Dortmund over his long-term future, as speculation continues. He is under contract with the Bundesliga outfit until 2025, and Dortmund are believed to want more than £100m for the star.

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England midfielder Bellingham has impressed for club and country this season. His nine Dortmund goals is already a career-best return for a single season, while he scored his first senior international goal against Iran at the World Cup.

Jobe, meanwhile, has seen his role for Birmingham increase this season after making his debut last term. The 17-year-old, who also plays in midfield, made his first Championship start against Sunderland in November, playing just under an hour.

Any Liverpool move for Jude Bellingham is unlikely to take place until the summer, with the Merseyside club having already spent big in January to bring Cody Gakpo to Anfield. The Dutch international made his debut for the club over the weekend, playing 84 minutes of the FA Cup draw with Wolves.

Next up for Jurgen Klopp's team is a Premier League trip to Brighton, where a defeat would see them fall behind Roberto de Zerbi's team in the table. After that comes a replay with Wolves at Molineux, followed by a busy run of domestic fixtures ahead of a return to Champions League action in February.