Manchester United are in talks with Birmingham City over a potential loan move for Teden Mengi until the end of the season.
Mengi, 19, was identified as a leading contender to leave United on loan in the January window after a move to Derby fell through last summer.
The English youngster instead remained at United for the first half of the season, where he continued to impress for the U23s side but struggled to break into the first team.
Mengi's only senior appearance this season came from the bench as United drew with BSC Young Boys in their Champions League dead-rubber tie last month, though the highlight of his season so far was training with the senior England side back in October.
Club sources insist talks over a loan exit remain at a preliminary stage after Birmingham identified the United hopeful as an ideal replacement for Dion Sanderson, who has been recalled by parent club Wolves after his own loan spell this season.
After Tahith Chong agreed a season-long loan at the start of the campaign, Mengi could become the second United youngster to move to Birmingham this season.
Chong, 21, was forced to undergo surgery on a serious thigh injury at the start of November and was set for a hefty spell on the sidelines, though manager Lee Bowyer is encouraged by his rehabilitation progress.
"He's ahead of schedule. I don't want to put a date on it but he's ahead of schedule — quite a bit ahead of schedule," Bowyer said.
"So he will definitely be coming back to us, touch wood, if nothing happens in his recovery.
"But things are going well. He's happy and he's ahead of schedule, which is good for us. Hopefully, we will get him back sooner rather than later because we have definitely missed him. For sure, that bit of flair in the final third.
"So hopefully we will get him back soon."
