Leeds United are leading Newcastle United in the race to sign Birmingham City midfielder George Hall.

The Lowdown: Hall profiled

Hall is just 17 years of age but has already made his senior debut for Birmingham in the Championship.

The attacking midfielder signed his first professional deal with the Blues back in November, where Under-18s coach Martyn Olorenshaw described him as a 'really exciting' player who can 'influence games'.

Hall can also play on the wing or as a centre-forward and was attracting interest from both Leeds and Newcastle earlier in the campaign.

The Latest: Whites leading race

The Boot Room relayed reports from The Sun on Sunday (3/4; page 61), who revealed that the Whites are leading the race for Hall’s services.

Leeds watched Hall in action for England’s Under-18s during the recent international break, where he was the only non-Premier League player on show.

Brenden Aaronson is expected to arrive at Elland Road as the first major addition under Jesse Marsch, and it looks as though an understudy may come through the door at the same time.

The Verdict: Another Orta gem?

Victor Orta has worked hard on signing the best young talents during his time at Elland Road, with the likes of Illan Meslier, Pascal Struijk and Joe Gelhardt all now first-team players.

Lewis Bate, Leo Hjelde, Crysencio Summerville and Sam Greenwood are also breaking through, and it seems as if Hall is identified as the club’s next Under-23s signing.

He appears to have a bright future ahead of him, and should a summer switch to Yorkshire materialise, he could be the next Leeds starlet, with the Whites set to go back in for Aaronson as a senior attacking midfield addition over the coming months.

In other news: £251m release clause: Leeds and Orta may sign 'exceptional' striker for Marsch; talks now held.