Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin hopes teenage strike star Lewis Pirie ignores the lure of the English top-flight to sign on at Pittodrie.
Pirie is reportedly on the radar of Premier League Everton, Leeds United, Brighton and Fulham.
The teen’s stock rose even higher on Tuesday when scoring the winner for Scotland U16s in a 3-2 Victory Shield defeat of Wales.
Everton watched the 15-year-old score four goals for the Dons’ U16s in a recent 5-2 win over Dundee United.
The Toffees are understood to be set to follow up their interest with an approach for the teen after receiving a glowing report.
Aberdeen chiefs are desperate to get Scotland youth international Pirie signed on pro-forms when he comes of age early next year.
‘Fingers-crossed Lewis can see the bigger picture’
Boss Goodwin rates the teen highly and recently drafted the striker in for a training session with the first team.
Championship Sheffield United are also understood to be interested in Pirie.
Goodwin insists, if the “exciting prospect” commits his future with Aberdeen, he will get the chance to shine with the first team.
He said: “Young Lewis is a player that I really like.
“I had a conversation with him recently as we were short of numbers on the Friday and brought him over to train with the first team.
“He is still only 15 and not 16 until January.
“He is a young, exciting prospect and I just hope he can see his long-term future here at Aberdeen.
“Young players know they will get opportunities with me; that age doesn’t bother me.
“When Lewis turns 16 in the New Year and becomes eligible to play, he will get his opportunity here at Aberdeen.
“Fingers-crossed Lewis, along with all the other good young ones who are attracting attention, can see the bigger picture.
“That Aberdeen will give them the best opportunity of having a fantastic career.”
English top-flight clubs targeting teen
Premier League Leeds and Fulham are understood to have both watched Pirie in action in Scotland U16s in a clash with Denmark.
It is understood Brighton watched the teen impress with a scoring performance against Hibs recently.
Goodwin’s pitch to retain talented youngsters is they are closer to the dream of playing in the English top-flight by progressing at Aberdeen.
He only has to point to the success of Pittodrie youth academy graduate Calvin Ramsay.
Teen Ramsay, 19, signed on at Liverpool this summer for an Aberdeen club record transfer.
Ramsay made his Liverpool debut on Tuesday when coming on as a substitute in the 2-0 defeat of Napoli at Anfield.
Goodwin said: “I try to explain to parents that their kids are a lot closer to the English Premier League by staying here and playing in Aberdeen’s first team – as opposed to going down into the academy system in England and getting lost.
“There are some big attractions down there.
“However, I think for us as a club we have done things properly in the last few years.
“The kids that are here are training with the first team day in, day out and getting opportunities.
“Players like Ryan Duncan, who scored an incredible goal against Partick in the quarter-finals of the League Cup.”
Teen stars Pirie and Bavidge shining
Teen star Pirie is set to star for Scotland U16 squad in the Victory Shield again when facing the Republic of Ireland in Waterford on Friday.
Another rising star of Aberdeen’s youth system is prolific 16-year-old striker Alfie Bavidge.
Last month Bavidge netted three successive hat-tricks for the Dons in the Club Academy Scotland Under-18 league.
Midfielder Connor Barron, who scored his first senior goal in the 4-1 loss at Rangers at the weekend, also came through the youth ranks.
Barron, 20, was reportedly on the radar of Premier League Brentford, Celtic and Belgian club Genk in the summer.
Aberdeen have offered a new deal to first-team regular Barron, who is currently contracted to the club until summer 2024.
The Dons have also opened up contract talks with 18-year-old winger Duncan, who has scored twice this season.
Clubs across Europe watching Dons
Goodwin says clubs across Europe are now “sitting up and taking notice” of Aberdeen’s emerging young talent.
Right-back Ramsay completed a transfer to Liverpool in the summer that could be worth up to £8 million to Aberdeen.
The Dons received an initial £4.5m with an additional £3.5m in possible add-ons should Ramsay meet certain milestones at Anfield.
Clubs across Europe were queueing up to watch Ramsay.
Liverpool won the race to sign the Scotland U21 international.
However, Manchester United, Leeds United, Tottenham, Leicester City, West Ham, Newcastle United and Southampton were all tracking the teen.
The interest was across Europe.
Aberdeen rejected two bids from Bologna for Ramsay and Serie A Sassuolo also sent a delegation of scouts to watch him.
German Bundesliga outfits Eintracht Frankfurt and Hoffenheim were also keen on right-back Ramsay.
Aberdeen are now very much on the radar of clubs across Europe.
Goodwin said: “We have a great academy here at Aberdeen.
“It doesn’t surprise me that big clubs from England and all around Europe are starting to sit up and take notice.
“Calvin Ramsay was obviously sold to Liverpool for multi-millions.
“A lot of our other young players are catching the eye as well.”
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