Premier League sides Manchester United and Newcastle United have reportedly joined the race to sign Leicester City centre-back Ben Nelson.
According to Football Insider, Manchester United and Newcastle United have entered the race for young Leicester City defender Ben Nelson. The two Premier League sides will battle Premier League champions Manchester City to sign the 18-year-old.
Nelson is yet to make a first-team appearance for Leicester City, but is highly rated and won the Foxes’ 2021/22 Academy Player of the Season accolade. He has been called up to the senior squad on multiple occasions but wasn’t thrust into first-team action by manager Brendan Rodgers.
The 18-year-old has been a regular for Leicester’s Under-23 side and was also called up to the England Under-18 side last November. He has been called up to the Three Lions’ Under-18 squad again and could feature in the four-side tournament with Austria, Wales and Croatia.
The three aforementioned clubs will reportedly send scouts to watch Nelson play for the England Under-18s. The scouts will be in attendance for the Young Lions’ encounter against Austria on June 7. With three financially strong sides showing interest, Leicester are prepared to receive offers for the teenager.
Understandably, the Foxes wish to keep hold of the defender, but with the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and Newcastle showing interest, they could struggle to keep him at the King Power Stadium. Nelson signed his first professional contract with the Foxes in March after turning 18.
If the teenager does move this summer, he wouldn’t be introduced straight into first-team action. All three clubs interested in the youngster view him as a future star who can eventually grow into a first-choice centre-back for their side.
Staying back at Leicester could prove to be beneficial for the 18-year-old Nelson. The Foxes are expected to provide him with some first-team action in the upcoming season, which the other clubs may not be able to. Another season or two at the King Power Stadium before moving to one of the big clubs could shape the youngster’s career.
