Liverpool are on the hunt for midfield additions this summer, with James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all leaving the club.

While Alexis Mac Allister has been linked with the Red Devils in recent times, despite the name that appears on the lips of most supporters is Borussia Dortmund and England star Jude Bellingham.

Despite a lot of speculation about the significant interest of Jurgen Klopp and co, any hope of Bellingham’s move to Anfield appears to be dead in the country. Real Madrid is currently Bellingham’s most likely destination.

German journalist Christian Falk has suggested that agency fees linked to a potential deal have kept Liverpool from signing Bellingham.

In my column for Caught offside, Falk writes: “I heard his father’s demands were the decisive point. Of course, the overall package matters. If we were only talking about wages and transfer fees, Liverpool would probably move in.

“However, the salary of 20 million euros [£17.3m] plus the transfer fee, which Dortmund have set at 150 million euros [£130m], plus add-ons and then some extra money for Mark Bellingham and his agent would be impossible for Liverpool. I heard they say it’s crazy and they don’t do crazy things like that.”