This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Birmingham City manager Pep Clotet may be resigned to the fact that his star teen Jude Bellingham may well be on his way out of St Andrews, with a number of Europe's biggest clubs circling, but that has not stopped the Blues looking to incorporate an 18-month loan into any transfer deal that is agreed, according to sports journalist Duncan Castles via his The Transfer Window podcast.

Manchester United have broken cover first with a bid in excess of £30million for the youngster, who has firmly established himself as an integral part of Clotet's side in a breakthrough season at St Andrews.

So are Birmingham right to push for an 18-month loan in any deal for Bellingham?

We discuss.........

Jordan Rushworth

“This'd be the perfect solution for the Blues were they forced into selling Bellingham in the last few days of the transfer window, with time clearly running out for Pep Clotet’s side to replace the important qualities the 16-year-old brings to their midfield.

“Given the sorts of transfer fees being suggested that Birmingham could potentially receive for Bellingham, it could prove very difficult for the Blues to turn that sort of lucrative deal, which would help them out with financial fair play and re-balancing their books.

“Were Bellingham to be sold to the likes of Manchester United this window, and the Blues get to keep him for the next 18-months, it would allow them to both invest in other areas in the squad and allow them to still have the 16-year-old’s presence in their midfield in the short-term.

“It would also be a beneficial move for the buying club, as it would allow the midfielder to continue his development with the Blues, before potentially returning to the club a more rounded and better player to try and force his way into their side.”

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Toby Wilding

"I think this is a very sensible move, both for the club and player.

"If they are able to secure such a deal for Bellingham, it will allow Birmingham to continue to have a high-quality player available until the end of next season, giving them a decent chance of being in a better position when Bellingham ultimately leaves them, than the one they are now in.

"A deal such as this would also give them much more time to find a suitable replacement for Bellingham at St Andrew's, something they would not have if he were to simply leave the club this month, with just a matter of days remaining in the January transfer window.

"For Bellingham himself, this move would allow him to continue playing regular first-team football, aiding his development ahead of a move to Old Trafford, and potentially giving him a better chance of going straight into their side once the move is finally completed."

Phil Spencer

“Jude Bellingham is undoubtedly one of the hottest prospects in the country.

"A £30million move to Manchester United has been touted and while he’s a player who’s destined for the top, he isn’t there yet.

"Bellingham has plenty of developing still to do and the main thing for him is to ensure that he’s player regular first team football.

“He’s a young lad and still has some growing up to do so an 18-month loan deal back to Birmingham City seems like something that could be hugely beneficial.

“It allows the Blues the reap the benefits of their young star while also giving the player a stable setting to continue developing.”