Liverpool 'told Jude Bellingham deal is impossible this summer'

The 19-year-old has been in strong form for BVB since his arrival from Birmingham City in 2020, contributing 10 goals and 18 assists in 90 appearances for the Bundesliga giants.

The midfielder scored six goals and provided 14 assists in 44 appearances in all competitions during the 2021-22 campaign, and a number of the leading clubs in world football are said to be keen to sign him.

Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Real Madrid are all said to be admirers of the England international, while there is also believed to be firm interest from Liverpool.

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Reds approached Dortmund in June to discuss whether Bellingham would be available in the summer market.

However, Romano claims that Jurgen Klopp's side were told that there would be no negotiations for the youngster, as he was 'untouchable' at the club.

"The only future I'm thinking about is the next game with Dortmund. And I will be here next season. I'm ready," the midfielder told Ruhr Nachrichten when asked about his future earlier this year.

Liverpool are believed to have signalled that they would be prepared to pay €100m (£85m) to sign the former Birmingham youngster, while Real Madrid are thought to be willing to commit to a €90m (£76.5m) deal next summer.

Bellingham scored three times and registered eight assists in 32 Bundesliga appearances during the 2021-22 campaign, while he also featured on six occasions in the Champions League.

The midfielder was also involved for England during their UEFA Nations League fixtures in June, and he is widely expected to be in their squad for the 2022 World Cup.

Romano has also claimed that there are 'no negotiations' for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Matheus Nunes despite the recent speculation surrounding the 23-year-old.

Earlier this month, Liverpool boss Klopp insisted that his club are not currently looking to bring a new midfielder to the club due to their options in that area of the field.

"There is no need for a new midfielder. We cannot just add on midfielders. We respect the contracts with our boys as well, that means as long as we signed them they get all our support - in training, between the sessions, during the games and between the games," Klopp told reporters.

"That is the situation we have; really, you can count our midfielders. If you go through, the quality of the players we have is really, really high."

Bellingham is widely expected to leave Dortmund during next summer's transfer window, and a recent report claimed that Man United would be in a strong position to sign him if they secured a return to the Champions League for the 2023-24 campaign.