Manchester United are set to be in a strong position to sign Birmingham City midfielder Jude Bellingham this summer.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a known admirer of the 16-year-old sensation, who has made 25 Championship starts for the Blues this season.
Bellingham is a versatile midfielder who boasts great quality in possession, as well as a controlled aggression when in defence.
With Solskjaer looking into the future for his long-term United rebuild, Bellingham is exactly the type of generational talent the club should be looking to acquire.
United’s interest in the youngster has been widely reported. As reported by the Telegraph, the club have already been on the charm offensive as Sir Alex Ferguson accompanied him on a tour of the state-of-the-art Carrington training facility.
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And financial expert Kieran Maguire thinks United could complete the transfer of the youngster at a discounted price due to the financial problems caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
“There was a report published in Switzerland last week by one of the analyst organisations [CIES] and they felt the value of the transfer market had fallen by around about 28 per cent,” Maguire told Sky Sports, as quoted by Manchester Evening News.
“I think that will not be problematic for clubs who are in a relatively strong position, but as we drop down the leagues Birmingham have had financial issues.
“Historically, we’re aware of their Financial Fair Play penalty last season and the fact that they have been effectively put into a period of being monitored by the EFL, then that they will be between the devil and the deep blue sea.
“They will need money to survive. They do have owners who are based in Asia but we don’t know how their businesses are coping at present.
“So therefore there would be an opportunity potentially for an acquiring club to acquire a player of the nature of Jude Bellingham at a discounted price.”
Whilst United will also lose out because of COVID-19, they are in a much more powerful position than Birmingham and may be able to offer a lower sum.
But Bellingham is one of the most coveted young players across Europe and there is serious interest elsewhere.
According to German publication BILD, Bellingham is instead closing in on a move to Borussia Dortmund this summer.
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