Liverpool were among the teams who missed out on signing teenage sensation Jude Bellingham, according to former Reds right-back Philipp Degen.

The ex-defender now works as an agent for SBE Management, who had contacts with Bellingham’s father Mark before the midfielder‘s €25m (£22.5m) move to Borussia Dortmund was announced.

At the time, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea were all said to be keen on Bellingham, who was playing for Birmingham, but Degen says there were a whole host of teams keen to snap up the 17-year-old:

“Real, Barca, AC Milan, Inter, AS Roma, Bayern Munich, Dortmund – all the top teams in England, especially Man United – and when you see the fight for this boy, it was massive. Even between the agents – and I know Mark, his agent very well – and I really like when people have a straight mind and they never forget from where they are coming. It was the right decision and the right move – that is clear.”

Since sealing his switch to Dortmund back in July, Bellingham has already made 13 appearances in all competitions, scoring one goal and providing three assists. He has also been handed his first England cap after making his debut in the 3-0 friendly win over the Republic of Ireland earlier this month. Whether Liverpool will regret losing out on the player, we shall have to wait and see.