Borussia Dortmund have warned Liverpool that they will not ‘gift’ Jude Bellingham as Jurgen Klopp’s side continue their push to sign the midfielder.
Liverpool are one of several top European clubs who are positioning themselves to land the 19-year-old at the end of the season with Chelsea and Real Madrid also in the running.
Dortmund, however, are understood to be holding out for a €150 million (£128.9m) fee for the England international, whose valuation could rise even further after the World Cup.
Dortmund’s managing director Carsten Cramer insists the German club have a ‘good relationship’ with Liverpool and Klopp but is adamant that they will not be given any special treatment during negotiations for Bellingham.
‘We have a high sympathy for Liverpool for sure,’ Cramer told Vietnam News.
‘We are still in a good relationship with Jurgen and many others at Liverpool, so for me, it’s my preferred club in the EPL as well. But don’t expect that we will make gifts to Liverpool.’
Cramer says he is also keen to see Bellingham remain at Dortmund for as long as possible.
‘Maybe there is a success existing between Jude Bellingham and [England’s] success in the World Cup,’ said Cramer.
‘He has a contract. I’m a sales person regarding commercial business, but not regarding the player’s business.
‘We are happy to have him on board a hundred percent and the longer Jude will play for us, the better it will be.’
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