Holding on to young talent is hard work for clubs outside the top flight as Plymouth have found out following interest in Aaron Spears.

The 15-year-old has not appeared for the first team for boss Paul Sturrock or the reserves but appearances for the Under-16 side have given him the moniker of 'the new Wayne Rooney'. No pressure then.

Four Premier League clubs are ready to pounce for Spears who will hope child stardom doesn't have the same effect on him as it did for his namesake Britney. Newcastle, inevitably, are in pole position with director Dennis Wise said to have negotiated terms for Spears' release.

Sturrock does not want to let go of this potential future star but has allowed Spears to hold talks with interested parties.

Arsenal, Portsmouth and Tottenham are expected to intervene in the hunt for the prodigious talent, who will eventually shun the tearful Geordies for the bright lights of London.

Plymouth would be entitled to compensation should Spears agree to a move.

East Anglian rivals Norwich and Ipswich will fight it out armed with nothing but tractors and Colman's mustard, with the winners landing the £3.5m-rated Shola Ameobi.

The former under-21 star has already passed up a move to Stoke City.

The Potters have brushed that rejection off though and a change of tact has seen them re-evaluate where they need reinforcements most.

Strengthening the centre of the park has become the new objective and a £4m move for Birmingham midfielder Fabrice Muamba is mooted.

West Brom manager Tony Mowbray wants good players for free, and he might just get one if Arsenal are prepared to let defender Alexandre Song out on loan.

The Cameroon international has been allowed to go on loan in the past and Mowbray hopes this will remain the case.

Hull City are trailing Bolton right-back Nicky Hunt. The close relationship between Trotters chairman Phil Gartside and Tigers boss Phil Brown, who is willing to shell out £2m, could be instrumental in pulling off this transfer.

Amardeep Claire / Eurosport