Crystal Palace have joined West Ham in the race to sign Scottish teenager Aiden McGinlay, according to Football Insider.  

The Lowdown: McGinlay profiled

The young sensation is just 15 years of age and is currently in Partick Thistle’s academy. Described as a left-sided player and a wonderkid by Football Insider, McGinlay has been plying his trade for the club’s under-16 side and has also been named in the latest Scotland under-16 squad for three Victory Shield fixtures.

He appears to have been catching the eye of clubs down south, with the Eagles seemingly one of those.

The Latest: Palace interest

Football Insider provided an update regarding McGinlay on Saturday, claiming that Palace and West Ham are both keen on the youngster’s services.

The report states that the Eagles are ‘dispatching scouts to assess’ the 15-year-old, with Partick Thistle ‘bracing themselves from offers from clubs down south’.

The Verdict: Next academy addition?

Steve Parish and Dougie Freedman appear to be keen on building for the future by bringing some exciting young talents to the club’s new £20m academy redevelopment.

Striker Luke Plange arrived from Derby County in January, while winger Malcolm Ebiowei was also plucked from Pride Park in the summer.

McGinlay is younger than that attacking duo but still appears to be a potential future star, so it could prove to be a shrewd move if Palace can pip the Hammers to a deal for the Scottish gem.

It could be one to keep an eye on over the coming months, and should he join Palace, you’d expect that he’d slot straight into the club’s under-16 ranks at first.