Birmingham City make transfer decision amid Leeds United and Sunderland interest

Birmingham City manager John Eustace has emphasised Blues’ urge to build the football club around its young talent going forward. The head coach believes the best career call for the likes of George Hall and Jobe Bellingham would be staying at St Andrew’s amid interest from elsewhere.

The teenagers, who can both play in an array of midfield positions, have had plenty of game time during the tail end of the season, showing a lot of promise in the process. It’s a similar case for 18-year-old senior Wales international Jordan James, who often sits in a slightly deeper role in the centre of the park.

But as is part and parcel of showcasing your team’s most talented players, interest has been brewing from afar. Leeds United have long been linked with signing Hall as a January transfer was heavily tipped but never materialised, whereas Sunderland have recently plotted a move to sign Bellingham.

Eustace thinks it’s too early to think about changing clubs, however. “These boys are 17 and 18, they are not 20 or 21,” Eustace told Birmingham Live. “They are still growing into their bodies and all three of the young lads - JJ, Hall and Jobe - are very young and still developing.

“They have done terrific this season and have all had good minutes in a difficult season, where it was always going to be tough. But they have all played big parts in what we’ve done. Without a shadow of a doubt, they need another year or 18 months of developing and playing Championship football.

“Maybe when they’re 19, which is still very young, it might be a good time then to move on. We want to keep as many of the young players at this football club as we can and build the football club around them. Hopefully they will be here for a lot longer,” Eustace continued with optimism.

It comes as no surprise the attention is on Blues’ youngsters. Bellingham, who is still just 17 years of age, has played in each of Birmingham’s last four matches, while Hall has racked up 30 appearances, two goals and one assist in the Championship this campaign.