Liverpool are losing ground to Real Madrid in the race to sign Jude Bellingham this summer, according to reports.
The Reds have made the England international their top transfer target ahead of next season, as they look to rejuvenate their midfield.
James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara are all the wrong side of 30, while Naby Keita's contract is due to expire on June 30.
Liverpool were previously thought to be at the front of the queue to land Bellingham, but the saga has taken a twist over the last few weeks.
According to the Independent, Real Madrid are increasingly confident that they will win the race to sign the teenager, who is expected to seek pastures new at the end of the current campaign.
Bellingham, who is valued at £97.1m by Transfermarkt, is happy to keep his options open for the time being.
It is not beyond the realms of possibility that he extends his stay at Borussia Dortmund for one more year, but the aforementioned report states that Madrid believe they will acquire him this summer.
Madrid have told Bellingham's entourage that they are the best club in Europe for developing young talent, pointing to the examples of Vinicius Junior, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Fede Valverde and Eder Militao.
The Blancos would also have little trouble in meeting Dortmund's demands, with the German outfit thought to want around £130m for their prized asset.
Liverpool, who lost 3-1 to Brentford in the Premier League on Monday, face Wolves in the third round of the FA Cup this weekend.
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