Milan are trying to stave off interest from Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund, as 15-year-old Francesco Camarda continues to shatter records.
The Milanese native only turned 15 in March, but already has three goals in as many caps for Italy at Under-17 level, playing alongside teammates and with opponents significantly older.
He was promoted to the Under-19 Primavera Milan team this summer and has been a sensation, bagging six goals in seven competitive games, including today’s hat-trick in the 7-0 Coppa Italia Primavera match against Virtus Entella.
Camarda scored two and assisted another in Milan’s 4-0 UEFA Youth League victory over Newcastle United last week.
That allowed him to set the record as youngest ever Italian to score in this tournament, aged 15 years and 195 days.
Camarda has beaten the record set by Youssoufa Moukoko and Ryan Gravenberch by becoming the youngest player to score in all three Under-19 tournaments (League, Cup and Youth League).
Calciomercato.com warn that he is already attracting interest from Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City, which is particularly worrying considering the Italian rules on under-age players have allowed for poaching from abroad in the past.
He will not be able to sign his first professional contract until his 16th birthday in March 2024 and even then it can only last three years.