Championship leaders Burnley are eyeing a move for Salford City youngster Marshall Heys, who made headlines earlier this season by becoming the youngest player to appear in the FA Cup for a professional club.
The 15-year-old midfielder is understood to be attracting serious interest from the Clarets, with sources suggesting that key figures within Burnley’s academy—former Manchester United duo Nicky Butt and Chris Casper—are long-time admirers of his talent.
Clarets planning ahead
While Burnley remain focused on securing automatic promotion under Scott Parker, recruitment work continues off the pitch. Club scouts have been monitoring Heys’ development at Salford closely, and his early exposure to senior football has only increased his profile among top-tier clubs.
Heys made his professional debut in November 2024, aged just 15 years, two months and six days, becoming the youngest player ever to feature in the FA Cup for a professional side. He came on in the 90th minute during Salford’s 2-1 victory over Shrewsbury Town, writing his name into the competition’s record books.
At 15 years, 2 months and 6 days, Marshall Heys becomes the youngest ever player to appear in the @EmiratesFACup for a professional club 👏 pic.twitter.com/Oo9Gg00kiG
— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) November 2, 2024
The teenager, who is currently part of Salford’s under-18 setup, has since been included in several first-team matchday squads, including an unused substitute appearance during the Ammies’ 8-0 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup third round in January.
While Heys has yet to feature regularly for the senior side, his talent has not gone unnoticed. The involvement of Nicky Butt—formerly part of Salford’s hierarchy before joining Burnley—could be a decisive factor in any potential move. It’s believed the midfielder is held in particularly high regard by Butt and Casper, who both have strong ties to Manchester United’s renowned youth system.
Salford, currently mid-table in League Two, are aware of external interest but would be due compensation should Heys decide to move on.
Writer’s view
Burnley’s pursuit of Marshall Heys fits the club’s ongoing strategy of identifying elite youth prospects before they break into senior football. With their sights set on a Premier League return, the Clarets are also investing smartly in the future—and Heys, with record-setting pedigree and technical maturity, is exactly the kind of low-risk, high-ceiling player that could benefit from Premier League-level coaching.
If Butt and Casper are pushing this deal, Burnley fans should take notice.
