Birmingham City are confident that they will be able to retain the services of 16-year-old midfielder Jude Bellingham beyond the end of the January transfer window, despite growing interest from some of European football's biggest sides, a report from the Daily Mirror has claimed.

Bellingham has already made a big impact for Birmingham this season, making 23 appearances in all competitions for Pep Clotet's side, scoring three goals.

Due to his age, Bellingham cannot be offered a professional contract by Birmingham until he turns 17 in the summer, and the Blues are already thought to be fending off significant interest in the teenager.

Manchester United and Arsenal are both said to have monitored Bellingham throughout the season so far, with the latest reports now also claiming that German duo Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have also made contact with the Championship side about a potential move for the midfielder.

Despite that, it appears as though Bellingham could still be at St Andrews' until the end of the current season at the very least, with reports suggesting that there is no pressure from the teenager's camp to allow him to move on.

Indeed, it is claimed that Bellingham has already turned down several agents keen to represent the midfielder, with the teenager's father apparently acknowledging his son's happiness where he is, reducing the need to push for a move elsewhere as he continues to develop.

The Verdict

This is a big boost for Birmingham.

Bellingham has been hugely impressive for them since making his breakthrough at the start of the season, so they are not going to want to lose him under any circumstances.

This commitment is also good to see from Bellingham himself, showing he recognises the chance he has been given here, and it could prove to be a sensible decision, with the 16-year-old unlikely to get as many first-team opportunities with one of those other sides said to be interested anytime soon.