Birmingham City have no intention of cashing in on George Hall this summer amid speculation over a move to Leeds United, according to reports. The Athletic’s Phil Hay reported recently that the Whites were lining up deals for the 17-year-old as well as West Ham’s Sonny Perkins, but it is understood that the Midlands side will not listen to offers and instead will look to integrate the teenager into the first team.
Hall made two Championship appearances for Birmingham last season and was an unused substitute in a further four. The midfielder played 11 times for the under-23s, scoring three goals, as well as a further seven games for the under-18s with three goals and two assists - he has also featured four times for England under-18s.
The teenager was thought to be another addition to the raft of promising youth assets brought in over the last few seasons, joining the likes of Joe Gelhardt, Sam Greenwood, Lewis Bate and Crysencio Summerville in a young and exciting group.
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But Birmingham’s stance remains firm, according to our sister site BirminghamLive’s Brian Dick , as the Championship side aim to keep hold of their promising starlet and blend him into regular first team action over the course of next season.
“Hall, who will turn 18 next month, is regarded as one of the shining lights of the Wast Hills youth system,” Dick said. “Newcastle and Brighton were also claimed to be keen but Blues are reluctant to see another of their brighter prospects move on.”
Leeds brought Amari Miller over from St Andrew’s in the summer of 2021, and the 19-year-old has featured regularly for the under-23s with three goals in 21 appearances. The club are expected to replicate previous windows in terms of youth recruitment, picking up a combination of prospects from lower-level clubs and under-appreciated talents from some of the top sides.
Sonny Perkins fits into the latter of the two, having failed to pick up consistent minutes after making his debut in the Europa League in December. The 18-year-old has been a regular starter for the Hammers’ under-23s, scoring 12 goals in 21 Premier League 2 games.
