Manchester United are reportedly still trailing Borussia Dortmund in the chase to sign Birmingham City starlet Jude Bellingham this summer.
Bellingham, 16, has been regarded as a generational talent and has shone in his breakthrough season in the Championship, making 25 starts in midfield for the Blues.
ESPN report United are hugely interested in bringing Bellingham to Old Trafford, and have already given him a tour of their Carrington training facility.
It is believed that Bellingham would be given assurances that he would be immediately fighting for a first-team spot if he made the switch, rather than developing in the youth sides.
Birmingham appear willing to sell Bellingham this summer and signing one of the most highly-rated youngsters in English football would represent a huge coup for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
But for United to land the teenager, they will have to change their transfer approach.
ESPN suggest that United will need to tempt Birmingham into a sale with guaranteed cash to help with their financial struggles, rather offering a structured payment with performance related bonuses.
It’s understandable that Bellingham would be attracted to a move to Bundesliga giants Dortmund, rather than United, given their reputation for developing the best young talent.
But United will hopefully offer Bellingham a better long-term package and prove that there is a realistic path to the first-team regardless of Solskjaer’s current plethora of midfield options.
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