- Crystal Palace scouting Scottish prospect
- Alfie Osborne also has Arsenal and Chelsea’s attention
- The Hearts defender out of contract this summer
Crystal Palace have reportedly been on a scouting mission during the international break and have been keeping an eye on Hearts youngster Alfie Osborne. The 17-year-old’s stock is growing and Arsenal and Chelsea are also keeping tabs, per Football Insider.
Osborne is rising through the Scottish club’s youth ranks and also earning his place in the Scotland U19 team. He was in action on Saturday, captaining the Scottish youth team in a 3-3 draw against the Republic of Ireland.
Palace have often targeted youth and developed them into top talent, and they seem keen to add Osborne to their academy. He is out of contract this summer, which increases the likelihood that he will join a Premier League club.
Crystal Palace Scouting Hearts’ Osborne
The report claims that Palace, Arsenal and Chelsea scouts were all in attendance for the game between Scotland and the Republic of Ireland’s U19’s. They are monitoring the teenage defender who has yet to even make his senior debut for Hearts.
Should Osborne depart Tynecastle Park, it’s believed a £160,000 compensation fee will be required. The six-foot-five-inch centre-back has been with the Scottish outfit throughout his youth career.
This season, he has made 27 appearances in the Lowland League, scoring one goal. He’s versatile, able to play in central defence, at left-back, in central and defensive midfield.
Hearts boss Derek McInnes gave a glowing verdict of Osborne in January, telling club media:
“He’s a natural defender, he’s not a full-back, he’s a centre-back, he could fill in and at centre midfield… Alfie’s done really well. I thought it was a strong team performance and Alfie’s obviously got good size and good confidence about him.”
If Palace were to sign Obsorne, it’s likely he’d be added to the club’s academy rather than immediately join the senior team at Selhurst Park. But the Eagles may have to see off competition from Arsenal and Chelsea to secure his signature.
Crystal Palace’s Youth Focus Reaping Rewards
There is a clear intention from the higher-ups to continue the strategy of signing young players with potential. There might not be a more exciting starlet at the club than Joel Drakes-Thomas, who has already made two senior appearances this season.
The English winger is earning rave reviews at youth level and has appeared in both the Premier League and the Europa Conference League. At only 16, he is definitely one to watch.
Benji Casey is another youth talent who has been impressing for the U18s, putting up incredible goalscoring numbers. The 18-year-old English striker has bagged 12 goals in 10 U18 Premier League games this season.
