Cork City striker Jaden Umeh is wanted by a number of European giants, as manager Tim Clancy admitted that the youngster is likely to leave the club this summer.
16-year-old Umeh has made 15 appearances in the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division this season, scoring two goals, and has been a target for Portuguese giants Benfica for some time.
However, the Primeira Liga club could have some competition on their hands, with the Irish Mirror reporting that a number of Italian Serie A sides are monitoring the situation,
Umeh cannot move to the UK until he turns 18, so it's possible that he will follow in the footsteps of former League of Ireland men like Festy Ebosele and James Abankwah by making the move to Italy.
The goal that has Cork City ahead. #LOI | #WEXCOR pic.twitter.com/rQHf3XH96S
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) April 1, 2024
Tim Clancy admits Jaden Umeh will leave Cork City
"It’s a lot longer for Jaden to sit tight for the UK market so I would imagine Jaden will probably get a move in the upcoming window," Clancy is reported as saying in the Irish Mirror.
Umeh became the youngest goalscorer in Cork City's history back in April, when the Rebels were held to a 1-1 draw by Wexford. Ahead of the season, we here at Balls.ie named him as one of the youngsters to watch during the 2024 League of Ireland campaign, and without blowing our own trumpets too much, it didn't taken long for us to be proven correct.
Heading to the continent is sure to be a valuable experience for a young man such as Umeh and if he does end up moving to England in the future, he will be joining his older brother Franco Umeh-Chibueze, who made the move from Cork City to Crystal Palace in February 2023.
Franco was named on the bench for five of the Eagles' Premier League games this season and was a regular for their under-21 side in Premier League 2.
See Also: The 10 Most Valuable Ireland Footballers In The Game At The Moment
