Leeds expect groundwork to pay off in battle with Liverpool for NI starlet Leeds United are confident of beating a host of Premier League clubs including Liverpool to the signature of talented Northern Ireland youngster Charlie Allen, according to reports. Allen made his senior debut for Linfield aged just 15 and in doing so became the club’s youngest-ever player to take to the field. The midfielder, who can also play as a forward, notched an assist in that game and has since been included in Linfield’s 25-man squad – without playing – for a Champions League qualifier against Rosenborg in July. According to the Yorkshire Post, Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham and Rangers have all registered interest in the 16-year-old. However, the newspaper says that Leeds have been tracking Allen for “a long time” and are therefore confident of winning the race to sign him. It is added that a deal is not imminent, given that Leeds’ playing staff, coaching staff and management have all taken pay cuts to help the club through the financial bite expected from the shutdown of football. Indeed, Allen has received glowing praise from the elite performance director at the Irish Football Association. Jim Magilton told the Yorkshire Post: “Charlie is one of those boys that you throw him on to the park and go and ask him to play. “[He’ll] play anywhere with the same attitude and enthusiasm. Technically very good and physically can handle it – he is quick enough and he has a real chance. “Great attitude, enthusiastic, and applies himself every day. He’s been in full-time academy from September and he’s been excellent.” Leeds’ last game saw them beat Huddersfield Town 2-0 at Elland Road at the start of March, a result which kept Marcelo Bielsa‘s side a point above West Brom at the Championship’s summit. READ MORE: Leeds boosted in hunt for Ben White replacement as asking price drops The post Leeds expect groundwork to pay off in battle with Liverpool for NI starlet appeared first on teamtalk.com.

Leeds United are confident of beating a host of Premier League clubs including Liverpool to the signature of talented Northern Ireland youngster Charlie Allen, according to reports.

Allen made his senior debut for Linfield aged just 15 and in doing so became the club’s youngest-ever player to take to the field.

The midfielder, who can also play as a forward, notched an assist in that game and has since been included in Linfield’s 25-man squad – without playing – for a Champions League qualifier against Rosenborg in July.

According to the Yorkshire Post, Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham and Rangers have all registered interest in the 16-year-old.

However, the newspaper says that Leeds have been tracking Allen for “a long time” and are therefore confident of winning the race to sign him.

It is added that a deal is not imminent, given that Leeds’ playing staff, coaching staff and management have all taken pay cuts to help the club through the financial bite expected from the shutdown of football.

Indeed, Allen has received glowing praise from the elite performance director at the Irish Football Association.

Jim Magilton told the Yorkshire Post: “Charlie is one of those boys that you throw him on to the park and go and ask him to play.

“[He’ll] play anywhere with the same attitude and enthusiasm. Technically very good and physically can handle it – he is quick enough and he has a real chance.

“Great attitude, enthusiastic, and applies himself every day. He’s been in full-time academy from September and he’s been excellent.”

Leeds’ last game saw them beat Huddersfield Town 2-0 at Elland Road at the start of March, a result which kept Marcelo Bielsa‘s side a point above West Brom at the Championship’s summit.

READ MORE: Leeds boosted in hunt for Ben White replacement as asking price drops

The post Leeds expect groundwork to pay off in battle with Liverpool for NI starlet appeared first on teamtalk.com.

Jonny Whitfield