Premier League duo Liverpool and Southampton are set to lose out in the hunt for Luke Daley, Port Vale's 16-year-old sensation.

Daley has been linked with a move to both clubs, but reports in the Stoke Sentinel suggest that he's close to sealing a move to Championship new boys Huddersfield Town.

Daley has been with Vale for the last eight years and they've been keen on keeping him, but the lure of a move up the ladder looks like proving to be too much. With the recent takeover things are looking up at Vale, but they seem willing to allow their hot prospect to move on.

Port Vale academy manager Sevvy Aslam told the report;  “Luke is a lad from Liverpool. He came in on trial at eight years old and we signed him as an under nine. Fast forward eight years to under 16s and we have just offered him a scholarship.

“We had heard what clubs were interested in him. He would attract the attention because he is a winger that gets you on the edge of your seat because he loves taking players on and then he has a good delivery.

"So, whenever the ball comes to him he lights the place up, you lean forward to see what he is going to do next. He is that type of player."

Aslam also confirmed the interest from the three clubs, as well as Daley's final destination.

"We had interest from Huddersfield and while that was going on, we had interest from Southampton and Liverpool. He has decided to stick with Huddersfield. He is a lovely lad and we are sad to see him go."

The Valiants have recently been taken over by lifelong fan Carol Shanahan and her husband Kevin. They bought the club and the ground from Norman Smurthwaite, ushering in a new era for the struggling Burslem side.

The Verdict

Luke Daley is of an age where a bad move could seriously affect his career. Rather than be one of a number of top prospects at Liverpool, he looks to be choosing a side with whom there's more chance of a first team place.

It's a bold move for him, but genuine left footed players are hard to come by and that will give him an edge as he looks to force first team football.

If he does leave, it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see him get a loan move back to Vale in a season or so.