West Ham United emerged as front runners to sign 17-year-old attacking prodigy Aodhan Doherty from Northern Irish side Linfield.
According to Football Insider, West Ham United are leading the chase for Linfield youngster Aodhan Doherty. The 17-year-old attacking prodigy has seen his rise in Northern Irish football and has high-profile suitors from the Premier League, including the Hammers.
The report also names Everton and Brighton among those keen on signing the winger ahead of the January window. With Aodhan Doherty already making his way into Linfield’s first team setup, he may look to play regularly and put any prospective move abroad on the back burner.
However, it’s tough for young stars coming out of Northern Ireland to have the opportunity such as a move ti England and turn it down. Linfield will also recognise that and allow the teenager to make his dream move away from the club if the conditions are right.
West Ham are also interested; as things stand, they are the front runners in the chase, as per the report. The Hammers continually look at young talents from elsewhere to shore up their youth ranks but might consider Doherty as someone on the periphery of breaking through to the first-team setup.
More Premier League sides are open to including young talents and helping them rise. For instance, Brighton have developed their reputation as the torchbearers of bringing up young talents, and hence their presence in this race for the 17-year-old attacking prodigy does not come as a surprise.
West Ham are also looking at other players, with Irish talent Eiran Cashin one of their targets. A host of players from Northern Ireland and Ireland have come through the ranks, with Sam Curtis earning plenty of interest from Liverpool and Manchester United.
The Hammers are equally looking at Doherty to come in and challenge for a place in David Moyes’ first team setup. The 17-year-old attacking prodigy only signed a professional contract until 2026 with Linfield, which could benefit the Northern Irish side to get fair compensation from his sale if all West Ham come through with an offer.
