Reports claim Leicester City have beaten off a few Premier League rivals and agreed a deal to sign Hartlepool United goalkeeper Brad Young this summer.
Foxes chief Brendan Rodgers has been tipped to strengthen his squad in the off-season with another European campaign on the horizon. The East Midlanders narrowly missed out on the Champions League for the second consecutive season. But they will play in the Europa League after finishing fifth.
A few of the King Power Stadium stars have been linked to other clubs. And Rodgers may well have to recruit a midfielder or striker before the start of next season.
But they are well stocked in the goalkeeping department, with Kasper Schmeichel the undisputed number one and club captain. Danny Ward is a more-than-capable back-up shot-stopper and currently starring for Wales at Euro 2020.
But the Northern Irish tactician is clearly looking long term with the recruitment of 19-year-old Young. Schmeichel is 34 and cannot go on at the top level for ever.
Young is not ready for senior football yet and would be part of the Foxes’ youth set-up should he make the switch. But he has been impressing on Teesside and attracted the attention of Chelsea, among others.
However, it seems as though Leicester have won the race, with Football Insider suggesting they will offer him a three-year deal. Young recently penned his first professional contract at Victoria Park but has yet to make an appearance.
He spent time on loan with Blyth Spartans, playing eight times in National League North in 2020-2021. Despite limited exposure the youngster has been turning heads and looks to be heading south this summer.
Young already noticed by Three Lions
Young may be wet behind the ears in terms of experience but he is far from a shrinking violet. At six feet four inches, he is a commanding presence between the posts.
And he was picked to train with the England Under-19s earlier this year. The north-east native was in Ian Foster’s 21-man squad back in March.
He was due to play in Under-19 European Championship qualifying matches but they were cancelled due to Covid. However, his time will come both domestically and at international level.
Leicester’s youngsters will feature in the Under-19s UEFA Youth League – the perfect platform for Young to show his stuff.
