Manchester United are leading Manchester City and Chelsea in the race to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham, according to the Sun.

All three English teams are said to be keeping tabs on the 18-year-old, who is reportedly rated at £80m by his club, but the Red Devils believe they have a key advantage over their rivals.

Before Bellingham moved to Dortmund last year, United had talks with the player and his family as they tried to snap up the midfielder themselves.

While the teenager eventually opted to make the switch to Germany, the Manchester club’s attempts to woo the midfielder left a “lasting impression.”

United made considerable efforts to convince Bellingham that a move to Old Trafford would be the right one, even employing Sir Alex Ferguson to help in persuading him.

Those attempts could be rewarded if the England international does leave Dortmund at the end of the season.