Manchester City and Arsenal are reportedly among the clubs monitoring New England Revolution midfielder Noel Buck.
The 18-year-old - who was born in North America but represents England internationally - is already an integral player for the MLS franchise despite his tender age.
Primarily a central midfielder, Buck is also comfortable on the right-hand side and has played 36 games for the Revs in all tournaments, scoring four goals and setting up one more.
Buck made his debut for New England as a 17-year-old in 2022 and was a consistent starter throughout the 2023 season, registering three goals and one assist in 24 MLS games.
Thanks to the midfielder's efforts, the Revolution finished fifth in the Eastern Conference to earn a spot in the playoffs, although he was hampered by a leg injury over the summer.
© Reuters
The 5ft 11in lynchpin also earned his first call-up to the England Under-19 side last month, playing in a pair of friendlies against Germany and Switzerland and scoring his first goal in a 4-2 beating of the latter.
Buck - who had represented the New England outfit since 2017 - is due to become a free agent in December 2025, although the Revs can trigger a 12-month extension in his contract.
However, the North American outfit may struggle to keep hold of their talented protege, as journalist Tom Bogert reports that several European teams have taken notice of his displays.
Arsenal are believed to be one of the teams keeping tabs on his progress, having previously done business with the New England Revolution to bring Matt Turner to the club last year, and the USA international is now Nottingham Forest's first-choice goalkeeper.
The Gunners also improved their commercial relationships in North America by taking Auston Trusty from the Colorado Rapids in January 2022, although the defender left for Sheffield United this summer without making a single senior appearance.
Latest I'm hearing on New England Revolution, England youth int'l Noel Buck:
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) October 12, 2023
🏴 Teams w/ interest include Arsenal, Burnley, Man City. Bundesliga teams too
💰 Would expect $5-8m range at least
🗓️ Winter move? Summer? 1 more year?
Full 22 Under 22 reaction show on MLS Season Pass pic.twitter.com/0lCnuFIRCU
Bogert adds that Arsenal could face particularly stiff competition from treble winners Man City, though, while fellow Premier League outfit Burnley have also thrown their hat into the ring by sending scouts to watch Buck in action.
Clubs in the Bundesliga - where young talent is given licence to thrive - are also rumoured to be in the mix, but Bogert suggests that the financial muscle of Premier League clubs could prove decisive.
The New England Revolution would apparently be willing to sanction Buck's exit for as little as $5m (£4.1m), but a bidding war could see the Revs' hold out for closer to $8m (£6.6m).
Arsenal and Man City would be expected to bow to the Revs' demands, but Buck would likely be sent out on loan should he join either Champions League club before trying to force his way into the first team.
Ben Knapton
