HITC Sport understands interest is high in the non-league forward, with Everton and Blackburn two high profile suitors.
Fleetwood Town are ready to move for James Hardy – the man they believe could be the new Jamie Vardy, but they will have to fend off Premier League and Championship interest, HITC Sport understands.
Town are famed for plucking Vardy from non-league Halifax Town before selling him onto Leicester City – and the rest is history.
Now Town have their eye on Hardy, but he plays for their local rivals AFC Fylde – who they do not have the best of relations with after the controversial summer transfer of Dian Charles, but Fleetwood are hoping they can smooth things over.
Jamie Vardy celebrates after scoring for Fleetwood Town
19-year-old attacking midfielder Hardy is a former Manchester City trainee and is seen as the best player in non-league football – even though Fylde are only in the Conference North, they are dominating that division.
Everton, Blackburn, Wigan, Blackpool and Bolton are also keeping close tabs on Hardy – although Fylde do not need to sell as they have a very rich owner, and are set to demand close to £500,000 for their prized asset.
Everton have been focusing on quality youth recruitment in recent times, with Ademola Lookman and Dominic Calvert-Lewin arriving this season from lower leagues.
Everton’s Ademola Lookman celebrates scoring
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