Arsenal transfer news: Gunners, Manchester City and Liverpool to fight over highly rated Fulham kid Matt O’Riley
Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool in three way tussle for Fulham teenager Matt O'Riley who could leave Craven Cottage for fee in excess of £1m
MANCHESTER CITY, Arsenal and Liverpool are chasing Fulham whizz kid Matt O'Riley, SunSport understands.
O'Riley, 15, is regarded as one of the best youngsters in the country and his performances for the Championship side's Under 18's have alerted the Premier League big boys.
The Cottagers are desperate to hold on to the midfielder who is yet to agree to join the clubs academy and could command a fee in excess of £1m.
Fulham are producing a crop of highly rated youngsters who the club are keen to keep together long term as they look to get back into the Premier League.
The West Londoners will not want to lose another highly rated youngster following the departure of french striker .
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O'Riley's technical ability has been compared to midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo
O'Riley who stands at over 6ft has been offered a scholarship by Fulham, so any compensation demanded if the England Under 16 star did move would fall outside EPPP (Elite Player Performance Plan) guidelines.
There is plenty of excitement around the classy midfielder whose level of technical ability is seen as a rarity in the English academy system. O'Riley has even drawn comparisons to Italian great Andrea Pirlo.
Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic is keen to integrate the highly rated youngster into his first team plans next season, something the club hope the England youth international and his parents will look upon favourably when it comes to making a decision about the teenager's long term future.