Manchester United are interested in signing Birmingham City midfielder Jude Bellingham but a £25m asking price could scupper a move, according to reports.
Bellingham has enjoyed a breakout season in the Championship this term as the Blues find themselves in 18th position after the 16-year-old scored in their 1-1 draw with Cardiff on Saturday.
The midfielder has scored four goals and provided one assist in 24 Championship appearances for Birmingham with 18 of those coming from the start.
The Daily Mirror recently claimed that Man Utd had offered Birmingham a ‘hefty downpayment with add-ons expected to take the bid over the £12.5m-mark’.
The Athletic now claims that ‘Mike Phelan went on a personal scouting mission’ to watch Bellingham in December which ‘sparked’ Man Utd’s pursuit of the youngster.
The report continues:
‘United are trying to do a deal for the midfielder in this window but a potential fee of £25 million is proving prohibitive.
‘There is also the fact Bellingham would be reluctant to drop into an under-23 set-up having secured his place in senior football, albeit in the Championship.’