According to a report by German outlet BILD, Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur are interested in Niko Ilicevic. The three Premier League clubs are keen on reinforcing their youth ranks by signing a promising attacking midfielder. They have regularly dispatched scouts to monitor the 15-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt prodigy’s progress in age-group football in recent years.
Niko Ilicevic is the latest promising prospect to rise in prominence in his homeland. Born in Germany, the 15-year-old has spent his formative years in the country of his birth, starting his youth career at VfR Goldbach before rising through the ranks at Eintracht Frankfurt in the last few years.
The teenage prospect has already broken into the Bundesliga club’s under-19 team, and he has a decent haul of four goals and two assists in 17 appearances thus far for the side. Meanwhile, the German youth international’s exploits in age-group football in Germany have piqued the attention of several high-profile clubs, including Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur.
Chelsea’s interest in the Eintracht Frankfurt wonderkid is hardly surprising. The Blues regularly scour the market for the brightest young prospects, even if they have a stacked squad. That has enabled the West London club to sign several world-class prodigies, with Estevao Willian the latest wonderkid to make his mark for the senior side.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United’s interest in Niko Ilicevic is understandable. The Magpies have adopted a youth-driven approach to recruitment since the PIF took over from Mike Ashley. A few have even impressed for the senior side, with Lewis Hall, Lewis Miley, and Valentino Livramento becoming regulars for Newcastle United.
As for Tottenham Hotspur, the Lilywhites have also focused on signing young prospects who can become long-term assets in a few years. Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall have already established a foothold since joining Tottenham, and recent reports have linked the North London club with other prodigies, including Tom Atcheson.
However, Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur are not alone in the battle for Ilicevic’s signature, as Real Madrid and AC Milan have scouted the 15-year-old German prodigy in age-group football for Eintracht Frankfurt.
However, a summer move may not be straightforward, as the Bundesliga outfit will hope to promote the teenage sensation to the first-team squad next season. With Ilicevic poised to secure a clear pathway to senior-level football at Eintracht Frankfurt, it makes no sense to leave anytime soon.
