Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor confirms Chelsea talks with goalkeeper Brad Young with Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool interested

The 17-year-old goalkeeper is currently out on loan at Northern League Division One side Billingham Town and has been linked with several Premier League big-hitters including Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal.

Young is expected to go down to Chelsea for talks ahead of a reported ‘six-figure’ summer transfer move.

Despite Pools’ goalkeeping issues this season, Challinor opted not to recall Young from his loan spell in favour of the more experienced ex-Chelsea pair of Ben Killip and Mitchell Beeney.

When discussing the speculation surrounding Chelsea’s interest in Young, Challinor clarified: “He’s been linked with everyone!

“It’s one of them, there has absolutely been dialogue and not just [with Chelsea], there has been dialogue with six or seven what I would call the top, top Premier League clubs.

“Brad is a young goalkeeper with a big future and I suppose what the top clubs are looking at is that potential and can you potentially unlock that by getting someone in at a young age.

“A 17-year-old who is six foot four, has all the abilities and has gone in with England in the younger squad and came back with really good reports.

“He’s out playing men’s football which will do him the world of good regardless of what level because he will come under pressure and make mistakes.

“That’s something where, if [a transfer] does happen, it will be in the summer but there’s nothing certain at the moment.”

Although Young is yet to make his professional debut for Pools, some of the biggest clubs in the country are hoping to secure the highly-rated goalkeeper.

But Challinor hasn’t ruled out the possibility of a first-team breakthrough next season.

“If nothing happens, then next year he’ll be looking at developing with us further,” added the United boss.

“We'll have to make a decision where we are in terms of him in our first-team squad, getting him games and, I suppose, plotting a plan for his development.”