By Wayne Veysey

10th Jun, 2023 | 7:20am

Revealed: Liverpool handed 'huge' Jude Bellingham boost as deal agreed

Liverpool have been “hugely” encouraged by the cost of the Jude Bellingham move to Real Madrid and what it means for their own midfield summer overhaul, sources have told Football Insider.

The England superstar, 19, is on the verge of joining the Spanish giants from Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth £88.5million plus add-ons that could reach about another £26m.

Even the total cost of the deal is significantly below the £130m figure that was being widely suggested in the wake of Bellingham’s stellar showing at the World Cup last December.

That is a major boost to Liverpool, sources say, as the early signs are that the value of transfers has not exploded this summer in the same way as many had predicted, and that the effect of Chelsea’s massive spending in the last year has not artificially inflated the market.

This will suit the elite clubs preparing to spend big this summer, and means many of their top targets will not be out of reach.

Bellingham, who agreed to join Real after Liverpool pulled out of the race to sign him, will have a medical before sealing the transfer on a six-year contract.

The Spanish club waited until Dortmund had finished their season before moving on to the final parts of the deal. They intend to announce the move within days.

Liverpool withdrew from the race because the cost, including a salary worth well in excess of £250,000-a-week, would have restricted the planned overhaul of Jurgen Klopp’s squad this summer.

The Merseysiders have already signed Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton for an initial £35m rising to £55m-£60m with add-ons.

They are also holding preliminary talks over other midfielder deals including for Borussia Monchengladbach star Manu Kone, 22, and OGC Nice ace Kephren Thuram, who is also 22.

The duo fit the profile of midfielder Klopp wants to add to his squad for the 2023-24 season in what is shaping up to be the club’s biggest overhaul in years.

Football Insider revealed last Saturday (3 June) that Liverpool have contacted Southampton to register their interest in signing 19-year-old midfielder Romeo Lavia.

In other news, Liverpool hijack Chelsea deal.