By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

12th Oct, 2019 | 8:00am

Exclusive: Southampton & Norwich battle for rising star after he visited Tottenham HQ

Southampton and Norwich are the latest Premier League clubs to join the chase for Irish wonderkid Charlie Allen, Football Insider can reveal.

The Linfield attacking midfielder, 15 is regarded as one of the hottest prospects in the UK after breaking into the first-team scene at the Northern Ireland champions.

Sources at Southampton and Norwich have told Football Insider the clubs are on the trail of the rising star in what is becoming a stampede for his signature.

Allen had a trial at Tottenham’s HQ and held talks with the club before then undergoing a trial at Manchester City.

Other members of the Premier League elite have been alerted to his potential.

Chelsea are also exploring the possibility of taking Allen on trial after becoming aware of the youngster’s immense potential.

Southampton and Norwich have a rich history of giving young players an opportunity at their clubs and they hope the offer of a quicker pathway to first-team football could give them an advantage over their rivals.

Linfield are aware of the growing interest in their prize asset and they are resigned to losing the talented youngster in the near future.

Spurs had been in pole position to secure the signature of Allen earlier in the summer, but their pursuit has now been complicated by the interest of multiple Premier League rivals.

The 15-year-old became Linfield’s youngest-ever debutant when he made his first-team bow in their final game of last season.

He does not turn 16 until November and has been described by Linfield Academy director Glenn Ferguson as “one of the brightest prospects” he has seen.

In other Southampton news, it can be REVEALED that the club have set their sights on London-based star who can play in defence and midfield.