Chelsea enter race for £50m-rated Manchester United target

Chelsea are ready to lock horns with rivals Manchester United for highly rated Birmingham teenager Jude Bellingham this summer, claims The Sun.

United have been heavily linked with a move for the 16-year-old since the beginning of the season and failed in their attempts to prise him away from Birmingham last month.

Ole Gunnar Solksjaer's side were initially hoping to conclude a £20m deal for the teen but his valuation has soared since then.

Chelsea have now expressed an interest in signing Bellingham and it's thought Birmingham have slapped a £50m asking price on his head.

Bellingham only has 28 league appearances to his name but is set to become one of the most expensive teenagers of all-time this summer.

Chelsea and United battling for the same players appears set to be a running theme over the next few months.

Hakim Ziyech was on the radar of both before sealing a move to Chelsea, while Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho also finds himself wanted by both clubs.

Moreover, both Chelsea and United have their eyes set on signing Lyon striker Moussa Dembele at the end of the season. 

Bellingham has impressively played a direct hand in six league goals for the Championship this season (four goals, two assists).

However, a £50m fee would completely shatter the record transfer for a British teenager, previously set when United signed Luke Shaw from Southampton for £31m in 2014.