Manchester United are reportedly desperate to fight off interest from a host of European clubs to sign Birmingham City midfielder Jude Bellingham this summer.
Bellingham, 16, is seen by many as a generational talent and has settled into regular Championship football with notable ease this season.
The midfielder has started 25 games for the Blues this term, and can operate in wide attacking areas as well as the middle of the park.
As per the Telegraph, his visit to United’s training ground at Carrington included an introduction to Sir Alex Ferguson, who accompanied the youngster and his parents on part of their tour of the complex.
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United’s interest in signing Bellingham is public knowledge and it’s clear Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sees him as part of the long-term rebuild at the club.
But if reports from the Daily Star are to be believed, United are perhaps now taking it a step too far in their attempts to sign the teenage starlet.
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According to the paper’s Chief Sports Writer Jeremy Cross, United would be willing to pay Bellingham a staggering £100,000 per-week to convince him to move to Old Trafford.
As a scholar, Bellingham currently earns up to £150 per-week in wages, and while United have to understandably put together an enticing package, this seems nonsensical.
If this report is true and Bellingham does indeed sign the contract, then he would immediately become one of the most expensive teenagers in world football despite not finishing a full season in the Championship.
There is obvious a prospect for a player of Bellingham’s potential to earn astronomical money in the future, but no 16-year-old should be put on such high wages.
While the Reds are looking to fend off concrete interest from Borussia Dortmund, these reported wages are excessive to say the least and could affect the youngsters attitude in a career that is very much in its infancy.
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