Hammers face fight to keep starlet

Published Feb. 18, 2010 8:40 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Hammers only signed Vose from London rivals Fulham last year, when he was just 15. Now Sky Sports understands the 16-year-old is attracting big interest from abroad with leading clubs from Holland and Portugal looking to snatch him away this summer. Vose cannot sign a professional contract until he is 17 and should he move abroad, as he is entitled to do, only minimal compensation would be due. Being under 17, Vose is also allowed to join a club in England, but being one of the top prospects in the country the compensation deal is likely to be much greater. This, though, is not putting off suitors like Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal. Vose was first looked at by United and Arsenal 18 months ago, when he was labelled the new Paul Scholes. Despite training at United, West Ham persuaded him to move across the capital from Fulham, but now they face a battle to cling on to him. West Ham are desperate for the midfielder to remain and will look to persuade him that his future is best served at Upton Park.