Manchester United are interested in signing Birmingham midfielder Jude Bellingham in the January transfer window, sources have told ESPN.
United believe a bid of around £25 million plus another £5m in add-ons could be enough to prise the 16-year-old away from St Andrews.
– Transfer Grades: All the big moves rated
– When does the transfer window close?
– All major completed transfer deals
If a deal can be agreed, options on the table include Bellingham joining Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s senior squad immediately or re-joining Birmingham on loan until the end of the season.
Sources have told ESPN that after establishing himself as a first team regular in the Championship this season, playing regular football would be a major factor in Bellingham’s decision.
The teenager has scored four goals in 25 games so far this term and has been capped at England Under-15 and U16 level.
Solskjaer is short in midfield after losing Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay to injury. Pogba is expected back in February after undergoing an operation to remove bone fragments from his ankle while McTominay is recovering from a knee ligament injury suffered against Newcastle on Boxing Day.
Sources have told ESPN that United remain interested in Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes but, as of Wednesday morning, a fee had still not been agreed.
Sporting value the 25-year-old at around €80m and are pushing for a deal made up of €65m up front and another €15m in add-ons while United are hoping to pay close to €50m with €10m in bonuses.
