Revealed: The player the Premier League's big six all want to buy this summer
He's one of the most highly-rated youngsters in the country - and English - Patrick Roberts could be winging way to one of the big boys
Premier League's big six interested in Fulham wonderkid Patrick Roberts
Fulham's disastrous season in the Championship will see them lose England wonderkid Patrick Roberts in the summer with the Premier League’s big six all chasing his signature.
England Under-19 forward Roberts is one of the most highly-rated youngsters in the country, but his progress has been held up by Fulham’s struggle to avoid a second successive relegation.
Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham are all interested in Roberts and enquired about his availability last summer, following Fulham’s relegation to the Championship.
Fulham placed a huge £15 million asking price on the head of Roberts 12 months ago, but the club cannot make such big demands this summer as the 18-year-old only has a year remaining on his Craven Cottage contract.
Roberts has started only three games for Fulham this season, as the club have changed managers and dropped dangerously close to the relegation zone.
Having taken over from Felix Magath, Fulham manager Kit Symons has largely put his faith in £11m signing Ross McCormack and 20-year-old Cauley Woodrow. Matt Smith has also returned from a loan spell at Bristol City.
Even if Fulham avoid a second relegation and stay in the Championship, they are unlikely to be able to keep hold of Roberts and there is no new contract on the horizon.
Despite his struggles at club level, Roberts has impressed on the international stage – scoring five goals in eight England Under-19 appearances.
Roberts was part of the England team that won the European Under-17 Championship in Malta last summer. He topped the assist chart with four and was the joint second highest scorer with three goals.
