Sources: Everton, Watford and Brentford in race to sign Steven Ngunga in out-of-window deal
Everton, Brentford and Watford are keeping close tabs on non-league sensation Steve Ngunga at Rising Ballers FC, Football Insider understands.
Scouts have been making regular checks on young talents at Rising Ballers and the left-back, 18, has emerged on the radar of the Premier League trio.
A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Ngunga's athletic and super-quick playing style has seen likened to Brighton sensation Tariq Lamptey.
His progress is being monitored by multiple Premier League clubs as well as those in the Championship.
Nganga recently had a trial at Belgian club Standard Liege and is now expected to undergo trials at top-flight English clibs.
This could pave the way for an out-of-window transfer.
Premier League clubs are able to sign players from outside the professional leagues at any time of the year.
Ngunga is currently playing for Rising Ballers, which has had success a grassroots level from giving young players aged 16-21 a second chance in the game.
Some graduates of the club have landed professional contracts, including Iliman Ndiaye, who is currently starring for Championship big guns Sheffield United.
Everton have the resources to make Nganga an offer beyond the level of most Premier League clubs.
But the likes of Brentford and Watford could provide a quicker pathway to first-team football.
Of the trio, Brentford have the highest league position of 14th, while Everton are 16th and Watford, who appointed Roy Hodgson as their new manager during the international break, are 19th.