Leicester City are ‘very keen’ to sign Hartlepool United goalkeeper Brad Young, the non-league club’s manager Dave Challinor told the Hartlepool Mail.
Young by name, young by nature; the highly-rated shot-stopper will not be putting Kasper Schmeichel under any immediate pressure at the King Power Stadium but Leicester, remember, are masters when it comes to spotting the odd diamond amongst the cubic zirconas.
The Sun (11 April, page 67) reported a fortnight ago that Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes were in talks over a deal that would see Young take one giant leap up the footballing ladder, swapping a fifth-tier side for one gearing up to play Champions League football in 2021/22.
While nothing will be confirmed until the end of the season, Challinor did admit that Leicester’s interest is serious, having taken Young on trial recently.
“Brad went and spent a week at Leicester and they’re very keen to get something done,” Challinor said.
“It’s unlikely we’ll get anything done between now and the end of the season because of our situation with losing (other goalkeeper) Ben (Killip) to injury.
“If anything happens with Brad, it’s something that will work itself out over the summer months.
“If that’s the case then at least from a club perspective we know where we stand. If Brad does end up getting a move to a Premier League club then certainly from a recruitment standpoint and a model in terms of players coming through, it’s good for the club.”
Hartlepool lost all-action midfielder Josh Hawkes to local neighbours Sunderland last year, while Luca Murphy swapped the north east for West London in 2019, joining Fulham.
Young, previously a target for the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea, could be the next to depart the Hartlepool finishing school with flying colours.
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