Borussia Dortmund Chief Fires Warning To Liverpool Over Jude Bellingham Pursuit

The winter transfer market is set to open on January 1, 2023 for most of the world's top leagues and Borussia Dortmund managing director Carsten Cramer has a warning for Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, the team and its fans.

In an interview with Vietnam News, Cramer noted that Liverpool cannot expect the German Bundesliga side to do them any favors in their hopes of getting prized midfielder Jude Bellingham.

"We both care [about] Dortmund," Cramer said while referring to former manager Klopp.

"We have a high sympathy for Liverpool for sure. We are still in a good relationship with Jurgen (Klopp) and many others at Liverpool. So for me, it is my preferred club in the [English] Premier League as well. But do not expect that we will make gifts to Liverpool," the 53-year-old laughingly remarked.

Bellingham has been one of the most talked about players over the past few transfer windows, most especially after the departures of Jadon Sancho to Manchester United in 2021 and feared forward Erling Haaland to cross-town rival Manchester City this past summer.

The Stourbridge, England-born midfielder is currently playing with the international team at the 2022 World Cup and even scored his maiden, also their opening, goal in England's 6-2 thrashing of Qatar.

Bellingham started his career with Birmingham and made his way to Germany ahead of the 2020-21 season for an undisclosed fee that is believed to be around £25 million ($29.8 million) along with other performance-based incentives.

Since joining the eight-time German champions, Bellingham has recorded 19 goals and 21 assists thus far–making him an attractive transfer target for most domestic title hopefuls, especially in the English Premier League.

Liverpool would become an even more formidable threat in the Premier League if they somehow persuade Bellingham to be sold to them by Borussia Dortmund, but they will have some stiff competition.

Sky Sports noted that teams like Manchester City, Manchester United and Spanish La Liga side Real Madrid are all eyeing Bellingham in the summer transfer window while his current contract is still valid until 2025.

However, sources revealed in early November that Borussia Dortmund has pegged the prized midfielder's price tag at €150 million ($154.8 million).

That number will most likely go up if two things happen: he remains in form for the rest of the season and he finds success on the world stage during the World Cup in Qatar.

Bellingham has been an important piece of the puzzle thus far for England and has started in all three matches of the global tournament thus far, seemingly having the trust of manager Gareth Southgate.

England will next play Senegal in the Round of 16 on Sunday, December 4 at 3:00 PM.