@tokeweed yep, we've been pursuing him (or Klopp has anyway) for at least 3 seasons now, but he's always been too expensive, and then it was also a matter of timing, and now our old backroom acquisition people are gone also, so I'm not sure. It does appear owners are finally willing to consider the fee but then now we're not the only ones.
It would be the solution to our problems, but to be honest I'm not sure we can afford him. When it gets closer to the summer, Real Madrid, and the likes will put in some massive bids, with even bigger wages. Which, without breaking the wage structure we just can't compete with. Bellingham would absolutely want to be a Liverpool fan, and prioritise that over a better wage, which I don't think is the case.
We've got more problems than just the midfield it seems, but I feel Bellingham would be an absolutely massive statement. I can't see us willing to pay him the same as Salah though, which will ultimately be the reason he goes elsewhere. I think it's just rumours at the moment, I don't think anyone is leading the race. I think it's just simply the case of Liverpool being the most vocal.
Yeah, I think he's a smart boy, and our fortunes thus far will have played its part in swaying that "hunger" if there ever was a case that he might choose heart over money. And we can't blame him for that.
I doubt we're in the lead too. It's just the fandom, and as you say, rumours, which have been fanning (admittedly also by me) since even when we won the title (damn that's ages ago).
Time for revenge for Liverpool in tomorrow game,I personally can not forget the humiliating lost game 3-0 against Brighton not that long ago.