Liverpool remain interested in signing the man who every elite club seems to be after…

What’s the latest?

That’s according to transfer insider Dean Jones, who claims that the Reds will have full faith in their ability to tempt Jude Bellingham to Anfield after Dharmesh Sheth had claimed he was their “number one target”.

Despite the riches of Manchester City likely to put them ahead in the race, Jones told GIVEMESPORT:

“Man City might consider themselves with the greatest chance of signing him right now in their eyes, but Liverpool believe that they should have a great chance, too, and that they just have to go all out and put in front of him why they think he should join Liverpool.”

Following his fine performances in Qatar, his price tag has since risen to a reported €150m (£130m).

Thiago upgrade

Although he has quickly captured the imagination of fans from the Merseyside club, Spanish maestro Thiago is not getting any younger.

Having only joined in 2020 at the age of 29, it was clear this deal was one to bring instant success rather than pin down their midfield for years.

That could not be more contrasted to a potential deal to sign Bellingham, with the 19-year-old sure to dominate in the engine room for at least the next decade.

Whilst the Spaniard offers a more calming presence in midfield, outlined in his tackles ranking in the top 9% as well as his pass completion rate in the top 7%, the England international has shown he is far more all-action.

Despite this, he can still occupy nearly any role needed of him, which is outlined in his varied skillset.

Whilst ranking in the top 6% for dribbles completed, he also records 2.39 tackles per game. In the same vein, whilst he ranks in the top 4% for non-penalty goals, his pass completion rate averaged out at 90% at the World Cup.

There is truly nothing he cannot do, and he has more than earned the title of "a generational talent” bestowed upon him by Rafael Honigstein.

What marks him as an upgrade on Thiago is not just his input, of which his 7.38 Sofascore rating from their domestic leagues dwarfs that of the 31-year-old’s 7.15, but due to his goalscoring nature, he can actually take games by the scruff of the neck and drag his team through.

This was no greater exemplified than in his four goals in consecutive Champions League games this season, as he has stepped up in the absence of Erling Haaland.

For all his talents, the former Bayern Munich midfielder simply cannot change a game as Bellingham can.

 As such, this transfer could mark a huge improvement that could lock down their midfield for years to come.