Chelsea are attempting to persuade Jude Bellingham to snub Manchester United, according to reports.
Earlier this month, Bellingham was given a tour of United’s training ground as the club stepped up their efforts to sign the 16-year-old.
The midfielder also held talks with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Sir Alex Ferguson during his visit to Carrington.
But according to MailOnline, Chelsea are looking to hijack United’s move and have stepped up their efforts to land Bellingham.
The report claims that Chelsea have also held talks with Bellingham but the coronavirus lockdown has prevented face-to-face negotiations from going any further.
Bellingham is rated as one of the best young prospects in England and has already established himself as a first-team regular at Birmingham City with 35 appearances for the Championship club this season.
Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have also been linked with a move for the midfielder.
But earlier this week, Bellingham’s former coached advised him to make the move to Old Trafford.
‘Man United, it might be a nice fit for Jude, with a rejuvenated team, talk of Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish going over there,’ Sam Manoochehri, a former youth development coach at Birmingham City, told the Daily Mirror.
‘But Dortmund would also suit, the recent profile of players that have come through that system, the likes of Jadon Sancho. Jude would fit that mould too.
‘And look at what’s going on at Chelsea now. A lot of good young players in that team.
‘However Jude has got to make sure that his next move, is to a club where he plays. If not, I don’t think there is any problem with him staying at Birmingham.’
Follow Metro Sport across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
