Liverpool have been urged to sign Mason Mount and Declan Rice rather than spend an exorbitant amount of money on Jude Bellingham.
The Reds have been heavily linked with a summer move for the Borussia Dortmund midfielder. However, the Telegraph reported that they decided to pull the plug on the manhunt which would have cost more than €130 million.
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy believes signing Mount and Rice will cost the Reds less than Bellingham and would be a more realistic move for the Merseysiders. He said (via HITC):
“(Signing Bellingham) would seem really counterintuitive. It’s not how they tend to do things really; go out and buy a superstar for more than £100 million, they have to improve and they have to try to bring something better than what they have.”
He further added:
“I would rather see two or three for the price of one, if the ‘one’ is going to cost £120-130m. There are a lot of great players. And if his recruiting is good, if he knows what he needs and wants, he can go and get it.”
“If you’re talking £130m, could you get Mason Mount and Declan Rice for that? Two for the price of one? I think you’d get them both for £100 or £120m.”
Murphy also said:
“I’m not saying Rice or Mount are better than Bellingham. But you have two players playing different roles and you’ve spent the same money.”
Mount’s contract extension is in jeopardy and the Chelsea star has been linked with a move to Liverpool. On the other hand, West Ham United’s Rice is expected to be the subject of offers from several Premier League giants in the summer.
Liverpool are set to play Leeds United next
Liverpool have drawn their last two games. After a goalless draw against Chelsea at Stamford Chelsea, the Reds clinched a 2-2 draw against Arsenal at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s side will return to action on Monday (April 17) when they take on Leeds United in a Premier League away clash at Elland Road.
The Reds are eighth in the Premier League table with 44 points from 29 games. His chances of securing a spot in the top four look incredibly slim.