View 2 ImagesJude Bellingham has been tipped for a move to Liverpool, with a supposed swap mooted for next summer(Image: PA)
There’s less than a month to go before Liverpool can once again get back to transfer business. And Jude Bellingham is one name emerging around Anfield as the England talisman struggles for form at Real Madrid.
Such a monumental transfer wouldn’t be viable in most winter windows, but there are murmurs of Liverpool interest ahead of the summer. And one high-profile star under Arne Slot has been tipped to move in the opposite direction in order to lure Bellingham.
Recent weeks have also witnessed a rise in rumours linked to Mohamed Salah, who has reportedly received a ‘very clear’ message from his current club. Mirror Football takes a look at the latest happenings around Anfield this week as speculation builds ahead of a busy 2026.
Bellingham linked with Liverpool swap
Despite his recent dip at the Bernabeu,Bellingham remains one of the most valuable assets currently starring for Real. However, that hasn’t prevented sections of the Madrid media from turning against the Englishman.
As one of the main faces of Xabi Alonso’sside, Bellingham has suffered the same pressures other British imports have come under in Spain. And with that comes the familiar knee-jerk reaction tipping the underperforming star for the exit.
Real recently lost their hold on La Liga’s lead after drawing their last three domestic fixtures. It’s to be expected that Bellingham shoulders some of the burden for that slide to second, though any suggestion of a move is undoubtedly premature.
Still, that hasn’t prevented Defensa Centralfrom reporting that a move to Liverpool could materialise as soon as next summer. The story goes that the Reds sense their opportunity to capitalise on Bellingham’s recent struggles by making a move for the player – and offering Alexis Mac Allister in return.
Los Blancos have been linked with Mac Allister for some time and are reportedly big fans of the World Cup winner. As such, Liverpool could be willing to part ways with him by offering Real a swap.
Given the disparity between their most recent transfer fees, Liverpool would almost certainly be expected to offer a sizeable cash sum alongside Mac Allister to get their hands on Bellingham. The Argentinian has two-and-a-half years remaining on his Liverpool contract, while Bellignham’s Real deal doesn’t expire until 2029, and this storyline may not be worth entertaining for long.
Liverpool ‘very clear’ on Salah future
Another player currently out of form is Salah, who was dropped for Liverpool’s 2-0 win at West Ham on Sunday. The Egyptian watched from the sidelines as Liverpool snapped their latest losing streak without his aid, thanks to goals from Alexander Isak (his first Premier League finish for the Reds) and Cody Gakpo.
View 2 ImagesMohamed Salah was dropped for Liverpool’s win over West Ham on Sunday(Image: Justin Setterfield, Getty Images)
That twist has sparked a fresh wave of speculation linking Salah with the Anfield exit. Familiar reports of interest from Saudi Arabia have been revived just months after he supposedly turned down lucrative offers to pen a new two-year deal on Merseyside.
However, transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano has assured the Liverpool hierarchy has sent a ‘very clear’ message on the forward’s future. That being no player will be judged on the lacklustre couple of months Liverpool have endured, with few under Slot’s command escaping judgment for their roles in that dip.
In any case, Salah is due a break from the Liverpool spotlight when he links up with Egypt this month for the Africa Cup of Nations. And only after the winger returns from the tournament will fans get a better impression of Slot’s plans for the player this term.
The four-time Premier League Golden Boot-winner deserves a send-off fit for his legacy after spearheading the latest era of Liverpool prosperity. However, the second half of the campaign will seemingly have a big part to play in whether Salah gets to bow out on his own terms.