Liverpool have dropped out of the race to sign Jude Bellingham.
A potential move for the Borussia Dortmund playmaker appeared on the cards after Jurgen Klopp spoke in glowing terms about him at the end of last year.
The German described Bellingham’s exploits in England’s World Cup campaign as ‘absolutely exceptional’ which gave fans fresh hopes of his potential summer arrival.
But as the battle for the player’s signature intensifies, the Reds are no longer in the running due to the Bundesliga side’s likely asking price of £135 million.
The decision to withdraw interest in the 19-year-old was motivated largely by the impact it would have on plans to overhaul the current crop at Anfield.
Instead, Liverpool are set to explore a number of alternatives with Chelsea’s Mason Mount and Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes chief among them.
Mount will become a free agent next summer and has resisted efforts to renew his contract at Stamford Bridge after talks stalled over recent months.
Klopp is understood to favour a quick turnaround on signings in light of Real Madrid beating his club to the punch for Aurelien Tchouameni last summer.