Birmingham City are being left to sweat.
The future of Jude Bellingham remains up in the air as the summer transfer window looms.
The 16-year-old is one of the highest-rated young players in Europe, winning three caps at U17 level for England.
Bellingham has already made 36 appearances for the Championship club, scoring four goals and registering three assists.
The teenager can play in central midfield, on the right or left flank and in attacking midfield; he has also played up front for the Blues.
The Daily Mirror reports that the St Andrew’s club are being made to wait as Bellingham continues to be linked with both Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund.
The report states that he is most likely to join the Bundesliga side, but he turns 17 on Monday, when he becomes eligible to sign a professional contract with the Championship club.
His manager, Pep Clotet, has confirmed that they are awaiting confirmation from Bellingham on his future.
He said: “He has not indicated to me that he has made a decision.
“It’s difficult for me to say what would be best for him because it is a very personal opinion.
“I would love for him to keep being here at Birmingham, if not Birmingham as close as possible to the English game because I love the English game.
“I understand as well there are opportunities abroad where the development of the player is something that must be considered as well.
“The only thing I would say is that whatever he picks or wherever he goes he takes the same ambition he has here, the same pride, the same focus on being better and helping the team.”
GIVEMESPORT’S Harry Sherlock says…
Bellingham is an incredibly gifted young player.
He is a vibrant midfielder who can drive forward and break lines with his dribbling and vertical passing.
It is little surprise that both Dortmund and United are interested, given that he could be in the heart of their midfields for the next decade, if not more.
Clotet, though, clearly hasn’t given up hope of keeping the teenager around and one has to wonder if it might be the best move.
Staying in the Championship would allow him to continue to play regularly and make a genuine impact on their chances of eventually reaching the promised land of the Premier League.
He will surely leave Birmingham at some point, but he does not have to rush it purely because clubs are interested.