Southampton have joined the race to sign 16-year-old Scottish goalkeeper Callan McKenna, according to TeamTalk, but are faced with competition from Premier League sides Arsenal and Brighton and Hove Albion.
The teenage sensation was rewarded with his first professional contract at Queen’s Park in Scotland back in January under the former Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic manager Owen Coyle.
Over the past few weeks, McKenna has made his competitive debut for the Scottish Championship side and is now up to five in total in all competitions – three in the league and two in the Scottish League Cup.
The former Hibernian academy player has started all three of Queen’s Park’s outings in the second division so far in the 2023/24 campaign as the Spiders sit top of the table having won every game.
TeamTalk are reporting that Southampton, Arsenal and Brighton are all vying for the Scotland U18 international’s signature but it’s Brighton who are looking to take the first step towards signing the player.
The Seagulls are set to submit a bid to Queen’s Park for McKenna with an aim for the youngster to become a first-team regular in a number of years after developing with the academy first.
The report further states that Queen’s Park are facing a real struggle to keep the highly-rated shot-stopper around given the interest from some top clubs in English football.
The Daily Record are claiming that Southampton are long-term admirers of McKenna and first registered interest in the goalkeeper over a year ago.
Writer’s View
Southampton and Brighton are perhaps the best options for McKenna. There is a far greater possibility of him reaching the first-team at these clubs than at the Emirates Stadium.
It may even be wise for the successful suitor to send the starlet back out to Queen’s Park given that he has now become the first-choice goalkeeper with the Scottish club.
