United 'make £25m offer' for Bellingham
Manchester United have reportedly made an offer worth £25million to take Birmingham City wonderkid Jude Bellingham to Old Trafford.
According to the Daily Record, the Premier League giants are looking to broaden Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s midfield options in the January window – and have identified Bellingham.
Bellingham, 16, has been ripping it up in the Championship for Birmingham City this season and has an army of scouts watching him on a weekly basis.
Maddison latest
Marcus Maddison is ‘still talking’ to Charlton Athletic, claims Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony.
The 26-year-old winger has been chased by a number of Championship clubs in recent years and now finally appears set to make the step up.
MacAnthony confirmed on Thursday that Peterborough had given Maddison permission to speak with two second tier sides, one of whom was Charlton.
Reports have now emerged to suggest the other club is Birmingham City, who are understood to have been following Maddison for some time.
But, despite Blues’ interest, Maddison and his representative are still discussing a transfer to Charlton.
“I’m told his agent (is) still talking with them etc (for the) last couple of days,” MacAnthony told his Twitter followers.
Maddison has become one of the most sought after players in League One over the last five seasons.
Since the beginning of the 2015/16 season Maddison has scored 45 and assisted 67 goals for his teammates in 183 League One appearances for the Posh.
Fry's message
Former Birmingham City boss Barry Fry has told Marcus Maddison to move to St Andrew’s.
Fry, who is now Peterborough United’s director of football, reckons Maddison should opt for his old stomping ground rather than Charlton Athletic.
Both Blues and Charlton have been given permission to talk to Maddison and it’s now up to the player to decide his future.
But Fry, who managed Blues for three years in the 90s, thinks Maddison has an easy choice.
Speaking to the Peterborough Telegraph, Fry said: “It’s all doom and gloom at Birmingham at the moment, but I know for a fact Marcus would lift the place. The fans would love him.”
Birmingham City latest
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Must reads...
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Defender talk played down
Port Vale manager John Askey has quashed speculation defender Nathan Smith is on his way to Birmingham City.
Centre-back Smith, 23, has been linked with a surprise switch to St Andrew’s on social media over the past 48 hours.
He’s played 27 times for Vale in League Two this season and has been among their better performers alongside defensive partner Leon Legge.
But Smith’s good form hasn’t sparked any interest from Blues according to Askey.
Quoted in The Sentinel, Askey said: "You have probably been talking to Nathan's agent! There has been nothing as regards that.
“It would be great for the lad if that was the case and I think we would all wish him well. We don't want to lose him, not at all, but I think that is just things put about by certain agents."
