Man City, Arsenal , Tottenham and Liverpool are on the trail of a player labelled “a young Ashley Cole ” – Walsall teenager Rico Henry.
The Premier League quartet are keeping tabs on left-back Henry, 18, who has starred and scored twice for League One leaders Walsall this season. All four have had Henry watched.
He can also play wing-back and left-midfield, was named the best young player in the Football League for September.


Those eye-catching displays that have earned him an award have also alerted some of the top-flight’s big boys.

Henry in action against West Brom

Walsall tied Henry to a new contract until 2018 last month but Saddlers boss Dean Smith believes academy product Henry has the potential to reach the top.

He said: “If I were to liken him to anyone it would be a young Ashley Cole and it’s up to him how far he can now go in the game.

                                                            

Henry played for Walsall against Chelsea

“I’ve recommended him a couple of times to the England Under-19s because, if there’s a better left-sided player in the country at 18 years of age, I’d like to see them.

“If he keeps developing and keeps his feet firmly on the ground – his parents will make sure of that – then he’ll go the right way.”