According to a recent report coming from the Mirror, Manchester United are planning to snatch Birmingham City’s young starlet Jude Bellingham in the January transfer window.
The same source states that the Red Devils have offered an eight-figure package for the 16-year-old wonderkid, who’s reportedly been attracting a lot of attention from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
It seems that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to add more English talent into his young squad and Bellingham certainly fits the bill.
As per the Mirror, Birmingham are being offered a sum that could potentially take the bid over the £12.5m-mark, which is huge considering we’re talking about a player who’s yet to reach his 17th birthday.
But just who exactly is this wonderkid and how good is he?
To answer those questions, we sought the opinions of those who know him best…
Don Goodman, Sky Sports pundit
Goodman is one of the Sky Sports pundits who’s been keeping a close eye on the rising star.
Following his first home appearance at St Andrew’s when he scored a deflected winner – an achievement that saw him named in the EFL Team of the Week – Goodman heaped praise on the 16-year-old kid.
Here’s what he said on the EFL podcast, as quoted by the Birmingham Mail:
“There is a lot to like about him. Very early days in his career but he has bags of potential, it is about keeping his feet on the ground. It’s about him working very hard, I heard him speak about the influence of some of the senior players around him, like your David Davis’ and your Jutkiewicz’s and so on and so forth, so he is listening to these senior players.
“It does seem like he has his head screwed on and that can only be a really good thing for Birmingham.”
Gary Rowett, former Birmingham boss
Bellingham’s performances have warranted him a regular spot in Birmingham’s team.
When speaking ahead of their clash against Middlesbrough, their former boss and a member of Sky Sports’ punditry team for the game, Gary Rowett, was in awe of the youngster.
He even went as far as saying that he just might be the biggest talent their academy has ever produced.
Here’s what he said for Sky Sports ahead of that clash, as quoted by the Birmingham Mail:
“He’s got great awareness, he’s got a great understanding of the game. He uses his body here, quick feet and he’s out of that position.
“He wants to go forward all the time. Again, he wants to play forward, he wants to play and dribble into these areas. He’s always looking to be progressive. That’s the bit I like about him so much. He’s got an eye for goal.
“They’ve developed a lot of players here at Birmingham but they believe he could be the best one yet.”
Quickfire Quiz: How much do you know about Man Utd’s history in the January transfer window?
Pep Clotet, current Birmingham manager
If someone knows how talented and good the young Bellingham truly is then it’s Clotet, his current gaffer at Birmingham.
And his manager truly does think the world of the 16-year-old talent and was not shy to say as much following his winner against Stoke earlier in the season.
But Clotet has also praised his mentality.
Here’s what he said, as quoted by BBC:
“This summer he matured a lot. He’s quiet, very well-grounded, very professional and very mature.
“It’s difficult to say how far he can go when you have such a huge talent like him at such a young age.
“I think with his mentality, his goal should be to try and get established in this squad and play as many games as possible for the club that he loves.”
Verdict
It seems that Bellingham truly is one of the top young talents currently playing in the Championship.
If Solskjaer manages to land his signature, it would definitely be a major scoop for the future of the club.