Mason Melia, a prodigious young striker from St Patrick's Athletic, is attracting significant interest from top European clubs including Celtic and Tottenham.
Irish youth striker Mason Melia has visited Celtic amid growing interest from the St Patrick's Athletic teenager. Melia's visit to the Scottish champions took place last week, following a similar invitation from Brendan Rodgers' side that saw the 17-year-old visit Tottenham before Christmas. Serie A outfit Bologna are also interested in securing Melia's services, with additional interest coming from the Bundesliga and Belgium.
However, it's likely that Melia will choose a move to the UK - a decision that would be welcomed by St Pat's supporters, as Brexit rules mean he can't transfer until his 18th birthday in late September. Read next: David Healy proves true to his word with Linfield star reaping the benefit Read next: Jim Magilton calls for better governance on Irish League rule he can't get his head around Given that the English and Scottish transfer windows will have closed by then, he wouldn't officially sign for his new club until January of the following year, reports the Irish Mirror. Melia is believed to be nearing a decision about his future, with Spurs, Celtic, and several other Premier League clubs eagerly awaiting his call. The Wicklow-born player made a splash in 2023 when he scored on his first-team debut for Pat's in a Leinster Senior Cup victory over Wexford. He netted his first League of Ireland goal against UCD in June of that year. At just 15 years and 281 days old, he became the league's youngest ever goalscorer. Only Evan Ferguson and Melia's former Pat's teammate Sam Curtis debuted at a younger age. Liverpool and Crystal Palace are among the other clubs linked with the teenage sensation, who made 41 appearances for Pat's last season, including 14 league starts. However, it seems that Spurs and Celtic are the front-runners in the pursuit of the striker. Celtic has a history of scouting the League of Ireland for promising young forwards. Three years ago, they signed Johnny Kenny from Sligo Rovers. After loan stints at Queens Park and Shamrock Rovers, he made his first-team debut in last weekend's victory over Ross County. It's likely that Melia wouldn't have to wait as long for his breakthrough at Parkhead. His performance last year earned him the PFA Ireland Young Player of the Year award, as well as the Pat's Young Player of the Year accolade. He has represented Ireland up to the Under-19 level. Although he was called up to the Under-21s for the first time last October, an injury forced him to withdraw.
MASON MELIA CELTIC TOTTENHAM TRANSFER IRELAND
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