Birmingham City manager responds to transfer interest in Manchester United's Tahith Chong

Birmingham City manager John Eustace has responded to his side's transfer interest in signing Manchester United youngster Tahith Chong this season.

The MEN reported earlier this week that the Championship side are looking to bring Chong back to St Andrew's after already adding Hannibal Mejbri on a season-long loan. However, it is believed that talks for Chong are regarding a permanent transfer.

The 22-year-old has entered the last year of his contract and it is understood that United are open to selling the player before he is potentially allowed to leave on a free transfer next summer. United have a positive relationship with Birmingham, having sent both Teden Mengi and Chong on loan to the club last season.

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Chong scored one goal and provided three assists in his 20 Championship appearances for the Blues last season, having had his season interrupted by a four-month layoff due to groin surgery. After impressing during his time at the club, Birmingham are now keen to bring last season’s loanee back to the club.

Eustace recently faced questions over his side's interest in Chong, and although he remained tight-lipped, the Birmingham manager did concede he would be happy to see the Dutch youngster back at the club.

He said: “We will see, that’s out of my hands. That’s got nothing to do with me. If we do, great, whatever players we bring in to the club hopefully they will add quality.

“If he is a favourite here brilliant, let’s get him back, let’s get as many good players as we can at the club but they have got to be better than we have got.

“You see the efforts of the group, I am [not] bringing anyone in just for sake of bringing someone in.