Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg has confirmed that Liverpool and Manchester United are the “two teams” leading the race for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham.

Plettenberg says he is “convinced” that the England international will be sold next summer and he feels the North West of England is his likeliest destination:

“I am totally convinced that he [Bellingham] will leave Dortmund in 2023. Maybe to Liverpool, maybe to Manchester United, I think these are [the] two teams who will have very good chances to get him.”

Bellingham has been linked with a number of other clubs, including Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid, so it remains to be seen whether those teams will also enter the race for the player.

Dortmund are unlikely to let the 19-year-old leave for a low price, considering the competition for his signature. Reports in the German media have suggested an asking price of around €120m (£104m).

It means Liverpool would probably have to break their transfer record for a second successive summer. The fee for Darwin Nunez is expected to rise to £85m, eclipsing the amount paid for Virgil van Dijk, but Bellingham could cost £20m more than the Uruguayan striker.