Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has compared Jude Bellingham’s style of play to his former Arsenal teammate Patrick Vieira.

Liverpool, along with Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea, are believed to be keeping tabs on the Borussia Dortmund midfielder, and Merson says the 18-year-old will be in high demand this summer:

“I think everybody will (be interested in Bellingham). I think the kid is phenomenal. At his age, his composure and always wanting the ball. There’s not a lot that he can’t do. The way he burst forward, he reminds me of Patrick Vieira and he gets across the pitch very quickly.”

“He has got everything. For a young kid, he plays like he has a 30-year-old head on his shoulders. That’s some going in football. It’s so hard, trust me, playing international football. He plays it like he is playing with his mates in the park. I think he is a very special player – he will be able to pick who he wants to play for.”

Bellingham is a generational talent and, while that phrase is bandied around a lot these days, in his case, it is more than justified. Whether he can live up to the Vieira comparisons, though, is another matter.

Respected journalists have claimed that Liverpool are keeping a close eye on the teenager but you still feel that the Reds could be priced out of a move for him.

Dortmund are adamant that they won’t sell both Erling Haaland and Bellingham this summer. That means the latter’s asking price could be very high. For a player of his quality, though, he is someone that would warrant pushing the boat out for.