According to the Belfast Telegraph, Leeds United are one of a host of clubs interested in talented Linfield 15-year-old Charlie Allen.
The list of clubs also showing interest in the talented Allen is like a Who’s Who of English football. As well at the Premier League top two of Manchester City and Liverpool, others such as Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City are linked – along with interest from Scottish duo Celtic and Rangers.
Amongst interest of that magnitude, Leeds United would obviously struggle to land such a highly-rated starlet as the young Linfield midfielder. However, what could work in their favour is that good talent often gets swallowed up at big clubs.
Leeds United do offer a route for talented youngsters from their youth set-ups, through to Carlos Corberan’s successful Under-23s to the first team at Elland Road. Evidence of the latter jump up can be seen in terms of how youngsters Jamie Shackleton and Jack Clarke racked up over 40 Sky Bet Championship appearances between them last season.
Allen was named in the Linfield squad by David Healy for the Champions League qualifier against Rosenberg, a home game Linfield lost 2-0 on Wednesday evening. He didn’t make the match line-up, but he is considered a first team member at the Northern Ireland club.
Club chairman, Roy McGivern said ot Allen: “There’s massive interest in Charlie. Glenn Ferguson would tell you that from his work with the Academy and David Healy sees that he is a great talent and wants to aid his development.”
At some point, that development is likely to continue across the water in England or Scotland. At press, that interest places Leeds United and a plethora of big sides in the hunt.
