Manchester United and Liverpool are reportedly leading the chase for 14-year-old Conner Byrne, who is already playing first-team football for Glenavon.
According to The Mirror, Manchester United and Liverpool are two teams that are interested in Irish League wonderkid Conner Byrne. The prodigious custodian plays for Glenavon in the Irish League and is on the radar of a host of English clubs.
It’s not often that a youngster starts playing senior football and whenever that happens, there is a certain air of hype and expectancy surrounding his talent and potential. However, Byrne is an exception even for the norm, starting his senior career at an unprecedented age of 14.
Also a part of the Under-16 Northern Ireland side, the interest that Byrne’s talent is being able to generate does not come as a surprise. His senior debut for Glenavon in the Irish League was witnessed by a dozen talent-spotters that represent English clubs.
Manchester United and Liverpool are the highest-profile and so far, the only concrete names apart from Tottenham and Everton to be credited with interest in the 14-year-old. The Red Devils are somewhat leading the chase for Byrne.
Reports that 14yo keeper Conner Byrne is on trial at #Leeds United
He is also a target for #LFC #MUFC #EFC #THFC and has played first team football
(via @scoutsattending) #COYW #LUFC https://t.co/EHAxEg8ttC
— Football Wonderkids (@footwonderkids) December 10, 2017
United are confident of landing the schoolboy, who will become the latest to join an already burgeoning youth squad. Add to that the rumours linking United with various young goalkeeping prospects – and Byrne might just be the pick of the lot – the chase does make sense.
Glenavon chairman Adrian Teer addressed the rumours, stating that the reports of widespread interest in Byrne are indeed correct.
Teer said, “ There has already been a lot of interest in Conner from a number of cross-channel clubs. He is a great prospect.”
Even though the Irish League does not compare to the likes of the other more renowned and competitive leagues across Europe, a 14-year-old first-team member is unheard of in any corner of the footballing fraternity thus far.
Byrne does seem one of the prodigious talents for the future and United will do well to capture the 14-year-old, lest they could run into a Battle Royale for his signature.
