Liverpool have received a boost in their pursuit of Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham.
The Athletic reports the 14-time European Cup winners are pessimistic about their chances of landing the England international due to the potential finances of the deal and also their non-urgent stance for midfield reinforcements.
Writing in The Athletic, David Ornstein said: "Sources close to the club insist they have almost no chance of doing the deal because of the financials; they gave out a similar message last year when they felt Erling Haaland was no longer achievable.
"Real insist they have a number which is much lower than the 150million ballpark Dortmund want that they won't go past for this deal.
"They would point to the relatively low fees they have paid for players in recent seasons compared to the richer English clubs and are expecting Bellingham to go to the Premier League.
"Unlike Liverpool, a midfielder is not Real's first priority either. They urgently need a No 9 or a wide attacker who can play on the right with Karim Benzema now 35 years old."
