EXCLUSIVE: West Ham and Burnley eye Scotland Under-19 sensation

Jacque Talbot

21 Apr 2024 04:00 CDT
3 min read

Burnley and West Ham have both expressed keen interest in securing the services of rising Scottish talent Bobby Wales, FootballTransfers can reveal.

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The 18-year-old centre-forward, who is currently on loan at Alloa from Kilmarnock, has caught the eye of several clubs with his impressive performances, but it’s the two Premier League clubs have shown the most interest at this point,

Wales boasts an impressive record, having netted 12 goals and provided four assists in just 24 appearances for Alloa. His standout performances have seen him called up to the Scotland Under-19 international side.

Despite his young age, Wales has already made ten appearances for Kilmarnock before his loan spell, showcasing his potential at the top level of Scottish football.

Standing at an imposing 6 feet 3 inches, Wales, who is contracted to Kilmarnock until 2025, possesses the physicality and goal-scoring prowess which has caught the attention of both the Hammers and the Clarets.

Scotland’s new Golden Boy

Wales signed fresh terms with Kilmarnock in September of last year. The club’s academy graduate had scored 25 times for the reserve and development squads before heading out on loan to Alloa in Scotland’s League One division.

Tadhal do Alloa Athletic!

Wales extends Alloa's lead early in the second half. pic.twitter.com/X2Aha2FXCB
— BBC ALBA (@bbcalba) April 20, 2024

The teenager was also awarded Kilmarnock’s Rising Academy Star award last year. Speaking exclusively to the Kilmarnock Standard, Wales said: “It was amazing to get the Rising Academy Star award, being a Killie fan makes it even better. I felt like I had a good season, getting some games with the first team was an amazing experience.

“It’s special coming through the ranks as a fan, last season was my first professional season so I knew I had to challenge myself. I’m big height-wise for my age I guess, but I am still young and have plenty to learn. All the advice I have been given has been a lot of help. I used to sit and watch from the stands dreaming about playing for Killie.”