Manchester City are interested in signing West Brom midfielder Jamal Jimoh, according to reports in the English media.
The England Under 17 international has, though, be scouted by a number of other Premier League teams, including Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester United.
Jimoh has not made a senior appearance yet, but he has impressed for the Baggies at youth level in the Under 18 Premier League. His performances for England have also come under close scrutiny.
Due to the interest, West Brom do expect top-flight teams to make offers for the 16-year-old this summer so this is a deal that fans will want to keep an eye on.
City’s youth recruitment drive is in full swing
Just a few days ago, the Premier League champions confirmed the signing of AFC Wimbledon goalkeeper Spike Brits. They paid a club-record fee for an academy player.
It is believed that the club are also keen to follow it up by recruitng another young shot-stopper, Sunderland U14 keeper Toby Bell.
Brexit rules are forcing City to look for homegrown players
Since the UK left the EU, English teams have not been able to sign foreign players who are below the age of 18.
It means that scouts have been trawling the country to find top talent, rather than seeking to headhunt the best youngsters from abroad.
The recruitment of Brits, as well as potentially Bell and Jimoh, demonstrates a sizeable shift that clubs like City have had to make over the last five years to ensure their academies are full of promising players.
As evidenced by the fee shelled out on Brits, though, the Citizens are having to pay through the nose to secure the services of academy stars. There is a very small talent pool to pick from, and the competition for signings is very fierce indeed.