Man United Launch £30m Bid For 16-Year-Old Bellingham

 

Manchester United have made a shock £30m bid for Birmingham City youngster Jude Bellingham, according to stunning reports.

Sky Sports reports that the Red Devils are keen to bring the 16-year-old midfielder to Old Trafford ahead of the January transfer window closing.

United have been linked with the teenager in recent months and were initially willing to pay £25m to land him from the Championship side.

Bellingham, who has made 26 appearances this season, only earns £145 per week as part of his scholar’s wages.

But the box-to-box midfielder’s wages could skyrocket once he signs his first professional contract when he turns 17 on 29th June.

Bellingham, who came through Birmingham’s youth academy, has scored four times and assisted once in the current campaign.

United aren’t the only club heavily linked with the England U17 international as Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool have also shown interest.

According to Sky Sports, Birmingham could be forced to let Bellingham leave due to the pressure to raise funds.

The Championship club, who are 18th in the league, suffered a nine-point deduction last season for breaking profit and sustainability rules.

Bellingham made history at the club when he became the youngest player (16 years and 38 days) to make his senior debut in their League Cup clash with Portsmouth last August.

Following his debut against Portsmouth, Birmingham boss Pep Clotet said that the United target had “matured a lot with the first team” last summer.

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He explained: “He is quiet, he is very professional in his football, he is a confident lad in his ability but he is someone you can talk to, he is very mature as well.”

United have been struggling this season due to their fragile midfield and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been keen to build for the future.