MANCHESTER UNITED are set to go up to £15million for Birmingham star Jude Bellingham — to fend off a late move by Chelsea.
The Old Trafford giants are prepared to slap in the up-front sum for the 16-year-old midfielder because they know of Frank Lampard’s interest.
Man Utd are willing to pay £15m for Birmingham Jude BellinghamCredit: Rex Features
Birmingham may have to accept the offer but they hope United will loan him back for the season.
Wolves have dropped out of the hunt and leading foreign clubs are still lurking in the hope that Bellingham goes cheap at the end of his contract.
Blues boss Pep Clotet could do with the funds for players, and plans to join the hunt for Peterborough’s Marcus Maddison.
Posh will take around £1.5m for the attacking midfielder but Birmingham have been tempting them with a player or two in exchange, including keeper David Stockdale.
Meanwhile, Man Utd are also ramping up their efforts to land former Liverpool star Emre Can.
The German midfielder, 26, has fallen down the pecking order at Juventus, with the Italians readying themselves for a £30m bid.
Tottenham and AC Milan – who were interested in Can in the summer – are also reportedly waiting in the wings and ready to pounce.
Can has played just eight Serie A games for the Old Lady this season, but featured in all six of their Champions League group stage games.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk