Fulham are keen to retain striker Jay Stansfield amid interest from Premier League duo Leicester City and Crystal Palace, a report from The Telegraph has claimed.

Stansfield joined Fulham from Exeter City back in 2019, and has since been prolific for the Cottagers at youth level.

That has seen the striker make four first-team appearances for Fulham in all competitions, with the 19-year-old scored his first senior goal in the Cottagers' 2-0 win over Birmingham in the League Cup earlier in the current campaign.

Now it seems as though the teenager's performances are starting to earn him plenty of interest from the top-flight of English football.

According to this latest update, Leicester and Crystal Palace are both taking an interest in the teenager following his form for the Cottagers.

However, it is thought that Fulham are hoping to secure the services of Stansfield long-term. That could see the striker handed a new deal at Craven Cottage, to avoid a similar contract situation they now face with Fabio Carvalho, who could leave for a small compensation fee when his deal expires in the summer.

The Verdict

You can certainly understand why Fulham would be keen to keep hold of Stansfield long term.

The teenager does look to be an attacker who can make a big impact in front of goal, and with plenty of time for him to improve, it would be a blow to lose him at such an early stage of his career.

Indeed, when you consider the frustration there will be at the club around the Fabio Carvalho situation, you feel there would be some serious questions asked if a similar scenario was to develop with Stansfield.

It seems therefore, that a new contract for the striker, may need to be something of a priority for Fulham right now.