Tottenham Hotspur’s scouts had been keeping an eye on a young German midfield prodigy, but their pursuit of the player has just got a lot harder ahead of the January window.

Spurs added several talented teenagers to their academy ranks during the summer transfer window, and the club are continuing to keep an eye on the best young players in England and around Europe.

In fact, in their meeting with the Fan Advisory Board last month, Tottenham revealed they are prioritising identifying and signing the best young players at Under-16 level.

It appears that a 15-year-old midfield starlet has caught the eye of the North London club with his performances in youth football.

Tottenham face huge competition from Premier League rivals for Eintracht Frankfurt’s Niko Ilicevic

It first emerged a couple of weeks ago that Spurs are tracking the progress of Eintracht Frankfurt academy midfielder Niko Ilicevic, who is considered to be one of the best young prospects in German football.

A new report in TEAMtalk has now confirmed that Tottenham are indeed fans of the teenager, but a host of other Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, are also watching the player.

Manchester City, Chelsea, and Newcastle United are also said to be tracking Ilicevic’s progress, with his technical quality and composure standing out in the UEFA Youth League.

His recent performances for Germany’s under-17 side have attracted even more attention, with the youngster also having been scouted by Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan and Inter Milan

The consensus among scouts across Europe is that the left-footed attacking midfielder possesses the attributes to shine at the highest level in the future. It thus appears that Tottenham Hotspur will have their work cut out for them to win the race for Ilicevic.

What Frankfurt are thinking about Ilicevic’s future

TEAMtalk reveal that despite the growing interest in the teenager, Frankfurt believe they are well placed to control the midfielder’s pathway over the next couple of years.

Ilicevic’s existing agreement with the Bundesliga club is due to convert into a professional contract on his 16th birthday in just 10 days.

The club have outlined a clear development plan for the youngster that prioritises gradual exposure to senior football in the Bundesliga, and they remain determined to provide him the right environment for his growth.

However, the website adds that some sources at Frankfurt are not discounting the possibility of Ilicevic leaving next summer should there be an offer the German club cannot refuse.