Liverpool have five other midfielders on their shortlist as they consider alternatives to Jude Bellingham, according to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg.
The journalist claims West Ham captain Declan Rice, Brighton’s Moises Caicedo, Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella, Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch and Wolves’ Matheus Nunes are all being targeted:
News #LFC: Still on the shortlist and being discussed with #Klopp confirmed: Rice, Caicedo, Barella, Gravenberch and Nunes. Klopp 100 % involved in the decision not to buy #Bellingham. Decision was taken with the owners. @SkySportDE 🏴 pic.twitter.com/IzDthesnAV
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) April 12, 2023
It’s fair to say that there will be plenty of competition from other clubs for the players that Plettenberg mentions. Rice, for example, is known to be a target for Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United. As is Caicedo.
Barella has been linked with Chelsea too, and there are question marks over whether the Italian would be willing to leave Inter. Gravenberch is likely to be a more realistic option, considering he is not getting much game time at Bayern, but there are said to be other Premier League teams interested in the Dutchman as well.
When it comes to Nunes, some reports have already reported that Liverpool have cooled their interest in the Portuguese international. We shall see if Jurgen Klopp’s side reignite their pursuit now they have missed out on Bellingham.