Director confirms Arsenal and Tottenham interest in Leonardo da Silva Lopes

Peterborough United's director of football Barry Fry has confirmed Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur's interest in 17-year-old midfielder Leonardo da Silva Lopes after a string of impressive performances during pre-season. Posh manager Grant McCann is hoping he can retain the starlet's services beyond the ongoing transfer window amid fears that one of the big clubs could make a move to sign him.

The London clubs are said to have sent their scouts to run the rule on the young midfielder, but are yet to make a concrete offer for Da Silva's services. Arsene Wenger and Mauricio Pochettino have shown that they are not afraid to blood young talent in the first-team squad, which could be reason enough for the Peterborough star to leave the ABAX Stadium this summer.

"The word is out that Leo is a very talented 17 year-old and clubs have been flocking to watch him," Fry told the Peterborough Telegraph.

"We have had no enquiries, never mind bids, but there have been an awful lot of scouts coming to our games just to watch him. Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs are among those to have sent scouts to watch him," he added.

Leo da Silva as he is known, has been compared to Tottenham's latest sensation Dele Alli and will not be short of suitors if he decides to leave Peterborough. He has made just 10 appearances for the League One side and can operate either as a deep lying central midfielder or at right midfield.

McCann is hoping they can keep the 17-year-old beyond this summer, but fears the worst as there are a number of top clubs watching the gifted Portuguese midfielder, who came into light first when he scored a 35-yard goal in a FA Youth Cup match against Notts County.

"Leo is a very good player and he's been in very good form this summer so I hope I don't lose him. There have been many clubs watching him and I'm not surprised. He's strong, he's athletic and he carries the ball very well," the Posh manager said.