Liverpool prepare £156m bid for world football’s biggest midfield star

January 12, 2026 Aksel Kryhlmand

A season shaped by expectation

Liverpool’s current campaign has unfolded under intense pressure. Fourth place in the Premier League would satisfy many clubs, but for the reigning champions it has only sharpened the focus on missed opportunities and slow progress.

Arsenal’s 14 point lead has amplified criticism, particularly after Liverpool spent more than £400 million including add ons during the summer. Manager Arne Slot has overseen a major rebuild, yet performances have fluctuated and patience among sections of the fanbase has begun to thin.

Rather than retreat, Liverpool appear ready to escalate their response.

Record breaking ambition

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Liverpool are preparing a €180 million bid, roughly £156 million, for Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham. The proposed offer would surpass the British transfer record set when Alexander Isak arrived from Newcastle.

Fichajes reports that Liverpool see Bellingham as a defining figure, a player capable of leading the midfield for the next decade. At just 22, the England international has already made close to 300 senior club appearances and earned 46 international caps.

The report describes Bellingham as “the best player in the world,” underlining the scale of the ambition behind the potential move.

Madrid’s firm position

Real Madrid are not expected to engage. According to Fichajes, the Spanish club have no intention of considering a sale, regardless of the fee proposed.

Bellingham is viewed as central to Madrid’s long term sporting strategy, and the club’s leadership believe his influence extends well beyond immediate on field impact. For now, their stance remains unchanged.

Liverpool are aware of the resistance but believe the scale of the offer would signal intent and force attention.

Spending under the spotlight

Liverpool’s recent transfer record has added to the debate. Isak has scored three goals in 16 appearances and is currently sidelined with a broken leg. Florian Wirtz has contributed four goal involvements across 20 league matches.

Those returns have prompted questions about whether another mega signing is a risk or a necessity. Inside the club, however, Bellingham is viewed as a cornerstone rather than a short term fix.

A statement of intent

Whether or not the move advances, the report highlights Liverpool’s continued willingness to challenge conventional limits in the market. After an inconsistent season and mounting external pressure, the club appears determined to act boldly rather than cautiously.

For Liverpool, the interest in Bellingham is not just about recruitment, it is about reaffirming their place at the top of the European hierarchy.

Sources: GiveMeSport, Fichajes

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