The Birmingham shirt numbers that Tahith Chong could wear after 'advanced talks' with Man Utd

Birmingham City are reportedly in ‘advanced talks’ with Manchester United for the permanent signing of Tahith Chong.

The Dutchman is no stranger to St Andrew’s having spent last season on loan with the Blues, making 20 appearances in the Championship, scoring once and providing three assists.

Chong, who predominantly plays on either wing, also featured in the no.10 role for Birmingham last campaign.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Blues are in advanced talks with United for Chong’s signature before Thursday’s transfer deadline at 11pm.

The 22-year-old is yet to feature for the Red Devils this season and has made 16 appearances in all competitions for the club since his debut in 2019.

Chong’s career to date?

Chong was born in Willemstad, Curacao, and began his career with Feyenoord in the Netherlands.

His impressive performances at youth level for the Dutch club attracted interest from United, who signed him in July 2016.

The winger worked his way through the Red Devils’ academy, featuring significantly for their Under-18 and U23 teams, before making his debut for their first team on January 5 2019 against Reading in a 2-0 FA Cup victory.

He struggled to cement a place in United’s first team since his debut and was loaned to Werder Bremen for the first half of the 2020-21 season, before spending the second part of the campaign with Club Brugge.

Chong is also a Netherlands youth international having been capped at U15 through to U21 level.

What shirt number could he wear at St Andrew’s?

Chong currently wears the number 44 shirt at the Red Devils and could opt to don this at the Blues if a move is finalised.

He wore 7 last season for Birmingham but Juninho Bacuna has taken that at St Andrew’s for the 2022-23 campaign.

The number 22 shirt, the one he wore during his loan spell with Bremen, was retired after the departure of Jude Belligham to Borussia Dortmund, meaning this isn’t an option.

Birmingham have filled their numbers from 1 to 11 now, but 13, 15 and 18 are the smallest available options, while 23 and 24 are all other possibilities for him.

Radhi Jaidi wore 15 and 24 during his three years at the club, but these numbers could be on red alert for newly-signed Tunisian international Hannibal Mejbri, who could follow in the nation’s legend’s footsteps.

Over 20, Chong has the pick of 26, while 34, 36 and 39 are available as well.