According to The Telegraph, West Ham United are interested in snapping up non-league talent Courtney Clarke.
It’s claimed that West Ham have sent scouts to watch Whyteleafe FC in Croydon in orde to watch teenager Clarke.
The 17-year-old is already playing senior football down in the Isthmian League South East division, which is the eighth tier of English football.
West Ham face a battle though, as Manchester City are also looking at Clarke, as are Brighton and Hove Albion, Millwall and Charlton Athletic.
The report notes that Clarke is a box-to-box midfielder who has been likened to a ‘young Patrick Vieira’ in a rather bold comparison.
West Ham may well hope that the offer of staying in London can help beat Manchester City to his signature, but it’s still a daunting task.
There is plenty of talent in non-league, as the likes of Chris Smalling, Michail Antonio, Charlie Austin and Jamie Vardy have shown in recent times – and West Ham may hope that Clarke can follow in their footsteps.
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