Liverpool: £83m target being 'tempted to stay' instead of move to Anfield

Liverpool target Jude Bellingham may well be the subject of fresh attempts from Borussia Dortmund to keep him in the Bundesliga after the midfielder was recently handed the captain’s armband, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.

Jurgen Klopp spent just under £100 million on his first-team squad at Anfield this summer but could invest further in 2023.

The 19-year-old became the youngest captain in Bundesliga history when he was handed the armband for Dortmund’s clash with FC Koln, grabbing an assist in the 3-2 defeat.

He retained the privilege for their next game, a Champions League clash with Sevilla, becoming the first English teenager to skipper a side in the competition.

After the game, Bellingham claimed the role of captain has ‘come naturally’ to him, adding that the experience of his teammates has made the task easier.

The decision to make the former Birmingham City star captain has come amid reports of strong interest in the player from Liverpool.

The Reds are understood to be making progress in their attempts to sew up an agreement with Dortmund for the 17-cap England international ahead of the 2023 summer window.

According to The Sun, an offer of £83 million could be enough to tempt the German outfit into a sale if the total fee is paid in one lump sum.

Despite Mats Hummels being handed the captaincy back for their weekend clash with Bayern Munich, Sheth believes Dortmund may have been trying to tempt Bellingham to stay by handing him the armband in the defender’s place.

Sheth told GIVEMESPORT: “If you saw what happened the other week, yes, Borussia Dortmund did lose to Koln, but the player who was leading them out with the armband was Jude Bellingham. I just wonder whether they’re trying to mould