English Premier League pair Newcastle United and Southampton are tracking Dundee United starlet Rory MacLeod.
MacLeod, 16, became the Tannadice club’s youngest EVER player last season when he entered the fray in a 2-0 victory over Motherwell.
Since then, the precocious striker has gone on to make four senior appearances, including a start against Celtic in May – a game in which he rattled the post.
MacLeod is considered one of the jewels of the United academy and his progress has been recognised at international level.
He was part of the Scotland squad that went to the U17 European Championships and captained that age group during a recent fixture against the Czech Republic.
MacLeod’s burgeoning reputation has now been noted south of the border, and Courier Sport understands Newcastle and Southampton are watching the striker closely.
The Magpies, riding high in the English Premier League under Eddie Howe, have already shown an appetite for raiding the Scottish youth market in 2022 by snapping up keeper Jude Smith from East Fife and defender Charlie McArthur from Kilmarnock.
The Saints, who have ex-United star Stuart Armstrong on their books, are also seeking to add to their highly respected youth academy.
United have made no secret of their desire to create a lucrative conveyor belt of young talent and sold defender Kerr Smith to Aston Villa last season in a deal that could net the Tangerines £2 million.
Conversation