The Daily Mail understands that Barclays Premier League side Southampton are the latest top flight club to monitor the progress of Walsall left back Rico Henry. The England Under-19 international is already an admirer of a string of Premier League clubs, who hope to sign him this summer.
The 18-year-old was compared to former Arsenal and Chelsea defender Ashley Cole by his former manager and current Brentford boss Dean Smith. It was Smith who handed him his first-team debut with the League One promotion contenders.
The Saints, managed by Dutch legend Ronald Koeman, have already taken steps to keep an eye on the talented youngster. They sent a scout to watch the player in action in a recent League One clash against Fleetwood Town. Arsenal, Leicester City, Liverpool and Swansea City are already said to be interested in the player.
The Birmingham-born defender won the Football League Young Player of the Month Award for September earlier this season after a string of fine showings in the Saddlers back four. Since signing his professional contract in July 2014, he has began to make a big name for himself, not just at club level, but internationally too.
He made his debut in December 2014 against Tranmere Rovers in a Johnstone’s Paint Trophy encounter, and made his Football League debut a few days later against Barnsley.
Walsall are currently managed by Jon Whitney, who has been given the job for the remainder of the season after Sean O’Driscoll was sacked earlier this month, despite only being appointed in December after Dean Smith moved on to Championship side Brentford. The Bescot Stadium club are still firmly in the promotion picture, with only goal difference keeping them in third and not the second automatic promotion spot. Perhaps offering Henry Championship football next season could be their best chance of preventing Henry moving onto a bigger club.