Liverpool will not sign Jude Bellingham this summer, but the midfielder demonstrates how the Reds can save money by signing an English talent from the Championship
With Liverpool having been priced out of a summer move for one-time top target Jude Bellingham, the search for alternatives is likely to be well underway. Perhaps signing another English prospect would be a wise move that would save the Reds money in the long run.
With recent prices quoted for players like Bellingham — Borussia Dortmund values him at $163 million (£130 million/€146 million), according to the Athletic — Liverpool could be forgiven for wanting to avoid paying such high fees in the future for homegrown talent. With Jürgen Klopp’s former employers potentially standing to profit more than $100 million if they sell the teenager this summer, Anfield recruitment chiefs could be forgiven for wanting to avoid having to pay such large fees in the future.
Of course, one obvious way to ensure that this type of situation does not reoccur in the future is to ensure that young talents choose to move to Merseyside rather than the Bundesliga. Clearly, the German Bundesliga has become a breeding ground for young English talent, with the likes of Bellingham, Jadon Sancho, and Reece Oxford having moved there permanently in recent years in search of a pathway to first-team football.
Bristol City’s Alex Scott, who has received praise for his performances in the Championship over the past couple of seasons, is one such player who could end up attracting interest from Premier League and, no doubt, Bundesliga clubs in the summer. The 19-year-old midfield prodigy has already made 81 senior league appearances, 40 of which have come this season, and 90Min reports Premier League and Borussia Dortmund interest.
It has been a steady rise for the youngster, who gained the attention of many observers after receiving the approval of both Pep Guardiola and Jack Grealish when the Robins faced Manchester City in an FA Cup game earlier this season. Scott was described as a ‘unbelievable player’ by the Catalan coach, while the England international described him as a ‘top, top talent’.
The Championship appears to be a market that elite clubs are watching for potential future stars, with Bellingham being the prime example, having moved to Borussia Dortmund from Birmingham City in 2020. Of course, Liverpool has a recent history of bringing in youngsters from the English second tier, with Harvey Elliott and Fábio Carvalho both joining from Fulham while the Cottagers were in the Championship.
The aforementioned Scott, along with Birmingham City prospect George Hall, has made a significant impression this season, with the latter attracting interest from the likes of Liverpool, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and West Ham United, according to the Daily Mail. Liverpool has also been mentioned in the ECHO.
Speculation about the teenager’s future is likely to intensify in the coming months, with Bristol City owner Steve Lansdown recently hinting that it could take up to $31 million (£25 million/€28 million) to entice the starlet away from the South West club.
Another issue that the powers that be at Ashton Gate will be concerned about is Scott’s current contract, which expires in 2025. Lansdown did say on BBC Radio Bristol that a new contract offer is on the table for the Guernsey-born prospect who was scouted by Liverpool’s head of recruitment Dave Fallows and chief scout Barry Hunter in March.
When one considers the fee Bellingham is likely to command when he leaves Signal Iduna Park, it is clear that signing an English prospect can pay off from both a sporting and financial standpoint. Perhaps Scott is the ideal young star for Liverpool to target in order to put this theory to the test.
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