Manchester United are set to offer Birmingham City £15million to secure the signing of 16-year-old midfielder Jude Bellingham, a report from The Sun has claimed.

The Old Trafford side had previously been reported to be lining up a £12.5million offer for Bellingham, but it now seems they are willing to pay even more than that to secure the services of the youngster.

It is thought that that offer will come in the form of a lump sum upfront, and has been made in order to beat off interest in the midfielder from Chelsea, whose manager Frank Lampard is said to be taking a growing interest in the teenager.

Bellingham has been in outstanding form since breaking into Birmingham's first-team at the start of this season, making 25 appearances in all competitions, scoring on four occasions, including the opening goal in his side's 1-1 draw at home to Cardiff City on Saturday.

Although Birmingham are understandably keen to retain the services of Bellingham, it has been suggested that they may have to accept United's offer for the teenager, with the hope they will then loan him back to St Andrews' until the end of this season.

While United and Chelsea are both still credited with an interest in Bellingham, it is claimed another Premier League outfit - Wolves - have dropped out of the race for his signature, but that a number of European clubs continue to monitor his services.

The Verdict

This will surely be a concern for Birmingham.

While they are of course going to want to keep the services of such a promising and important player for them, there is surely going to come a time when they receive an offer that is too good to refuse, and it appears that may be coming sooner rather than later.

Even so, the suggestion of an immediate return to St Andrews on loan for Bellingham may not be a bad idea, since it would give him the opportunity to play regular football that he may not get straight away at somewhere like Old Trafford.