Trio of Premier League Giants Battling for 15-Year-Old Fulham Prodigy Matt O'Riley
"?Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City are reportedly going head to head to land the signature of talented 15-year-old Fulham youngster Matt O'Riley, a midfielder who has already been playing Under-18 football for the Cottagers.
According to the Sun, O'Riley, born in November 2000, could command a fee in excess of £1m.
It is said that O'Riley, who has represented England at Under-16 level, will form a part of the first-team plans next at Fulham next season. The Sun notes that he has already drawn lofty technical comparisons with Italy legend Andrea Pirlo.
Fulham are understandably thought to be keen to keep hold of the teenager, along with a group of talented youngsters that also includes reported Premier League target Ryan Sessesgnon, as they look to return to the top flight in the near future.
The club has already seen the likes of Moussa Dembele and Patrick Roberts poached in recent years - the former as a free agent.
O'Riley was involved as Fulham's Under-16 team that won a second consecutive Premier League International Cup title last October.
"Our pathway at the club is fantastic. We're trying to produce as many young players out of our academy and into our first team as possible," youth coach and former Fulham striker Kevin Betsy told the Daily Mail at the time.
"The biggest challenge we face is trying to retain our players. Sometimes players look at it short-term and think, 'I'm going to a great club that's got a great name, they've got fantastic facilities, and Fulham are in the Championship and I want to be in the Premier League."
"Some players, and parents, see it as a here and now, and don't look at the bigger picture, which is unfortunate."
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