Liverpool 'leading race for Birmingham City's Jobe Bellingham'

Brother of Borussia Dortmund and England midfielder Jude Bellingham, 16-year-old Jobe is starting to emerge in the senior game and continues to impress at youth level.

Jobe has five goals to boast from 10 appearances in the Under-18 Premier League this season and has also banked one assist in 13 Premier League 2 appearances.

The midfielder has also earned three senior appearances in Birmingham colours - making two substitute appearances in the Championship and playing 50 minutes against Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup.

Jobe has also earned eight caps at Under-17 level for England, but he is yet to sign a professional contract with Birmingham City.

According to The Mirror, Liverpool are keeping a close eye on Jobe's development at Birmingham and are among the 'early frontrunners' for his signature.

The report adds that Manchester City and Newcastle United have also been informed of the 16-year-old's situation, but Birmingham will not let him leave without a fight.

Jobe is thought to have been offered the chance to sign scholarship terms with Birmingham, but clubs are circling with the teenager free to pen deals elsewhere for the 2022-23 season.

A versatile player, Bellingham has primarily featured in the number 10 role but has featured further forward on a number of occasions for England - either on the flanks or as a centre-forward.

News of Liverpool keeping tabs on Jobe comes after the teenager's highly-rated brother Jude ruled out the prospect of a summer exit from Dortmund amid links with Liverpool.

"The only future I'm thinking about is the next game with Dortmund. And I will be here next season. I'm ready," Bellingham - whom Manchester United have also been credited with an interest in - told Dortmund newspaper Ruhr Nachrichten.

Liverpool could therefore suspend their pursuit of a big-money midfielder until the end of next season, but a number of young faces could still come through the doors at Anfield.

An agreement has been reached to sign Fabio Carvalho from Fulham at the end of the season, with the Reds trying and failing to wrap up a last-minute deal for the youngster in January.

Ben Doak's switch from Celtic is also expected to become official soon, with the 16-year-old already being pictured holding up a Liverpool shirt.

Jurgen Klopp's side completed a domestic cup double by beating Chelsea on penalties in Saturday's FA Cup final and will aim to cut the gap to Man City at the top of the Premier League table to one point with victory over Southampton on Tuesday.