Liverpool ‘kept close eye’ on Chelsea transfer as Dortmund set huge ‘benchmark’ for Bellingham deal | OneFootball

Liverpool reportedly ‘kept a close eye’ on Chelsea’s pursuit of Enzo Fernandez as Dortmund now have their ‘benchmark’ for the Jude Bellingham transfer.

The Reds were linked with Fernandez ahead of the January transfer window. This followed his stunning form for Argentina at the World Cup in Qatar.

The midfielder was named the tournament’s best young player as Argentina won the World Cup for the third time.

After initial interest from Liverpool, Chelsea established themselves as the favourite to sign Fernandez in January. The deal looked likely at the start of the month but talks with Benfica broke down.

The Blues remained hopeful though and they were able to get the transfer over the line on deadline day. This is a new British record transfer as the fee for Fernandez is understood to be £108m (€121m).

While Chelsea pursued Bellingham, Liverpool are in the running to sign Bellingham from Dortmund at the end of this season. It will not be easy though as Manchester City and Real Madrid are also interested in him.

Reports have suggested that Bellingham could cost as much as £130m in the summer. Now Christian Falk is reporting that Fernandez’s move to Chelsea has set a “suitable benchmark for Bellingham”.

‘We’ve mentioned already that in March there should be talks around Jude Bellingham,’ Falk wrote for Caught Offside.

‘All sides were keeping a close eye on the deal for Enzo Fernandez; certainly, Dortmund now feel they have a suitable benchmark for Bellingham thanks to the Chelsea transfer.

‘Now they’re saying he won’t be cheaper. So Liverpool now know what they have to bring to the table – it shouldn’t be less than the transfer fee for Fernandez.’

Ex-Premier League goalkeeper Paul Robinson feels that Bellingham should wait until the summer before choosing which club to join next.

“If I was Bellingham, I would watching from the outside very carefully without making decision yet,” Robinson told Football Insider.

“He does not need to make a decision right now. He should wait until the end of the season and see if Liverpool improve. I think we all expect them to improve but if they don’t maybe he should look to go to Real Madrid or Man City instead.

“I’m sure Bellingham would accept not being in the Champions League for one season but if Liverpool’s decline continues…