Manchester United 'launch £12.5m Jude Bellingham offer'

Manchester United have reportedly approached Birmingham City with an offer worth £12.5m for teenage midfielder Jude Bellingham.

The Englishman will not turn 17 until June but has made 23 Championship appearances for the Blues during the 2019-20 campaign, contributing three goals in the process.

A number of clubs are believed to be interested in signing the midfielder, with United allegedly sending their assistant manager Mike Phelan to watch him in action this season.

As well as impressing at club level, Bellingham, who will see his current deal at St Andrew's expire in the summer of 2021, has scored twice in three appearances for England's Under-17 side.

According to The Mirror, United are at the head of the queue for the teenager and have offered Birmingham a deal in the region of £12.5m, which would arrive in various add-ons.

The report does not mention an exact downpayment for the youngster but claims that the Championship outfit have been offered a 'hefty' sum by the 20-time English champions.

Bellingham is allegedly currently on £145 a week at St Andrew's as he is yet to sign a professional deal.