According to the Daily Mail, Derby County are monitoring Hamilton Academical defender Jamie Hamilton, but they face competition from several Premier League clubs.
The report cites Everton, Southampton, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Norwich City as other suitors for the 17-year-old who has shot to prominence north of the border.
Hamilton played for the Scotland U17 side last season and made quite an impression. The central defender is tall, strong and comfortable in possession.
Derby are currently light on defenders with an off-field incident side-lining Richard Keogh for the season. The former Rams skipper’s contract expires in 2021.
Curtis Davies, 34, stepped in against Birmingham City and put in a strong performance. His own contract, however, expires next summer leaving question marks over his future.
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Krystian Bielik is arguably better in midfield, while Matthew Clarke is on loan. Max Hunt, another central defender, is currently out on loan at Aldershot.
Derby’s long-term central defensive options appear slim. Hamilton, 17, could be an ideal player for the future at a current potential bargain price.
The report adds that Everton are pondering a January bid. The Toffees seem keen to edge ahead, with Southampton, Wolves and Norwich also in contention.
But Derby can offer him a clearer route to regular first-team football. Moreover, the Championship club have a good recent record developing young players.