Exclusive: Brighton and Southampton in race to sign EFL rising star

Brighton and Southampton are keeping tabs on the progress of Fleetwood Town goalkeeper Oliver Bellizia, sources have told Football Insider.

The 19-year-old is highly regarded at Fleetwood and a number of clubs higher up the EFL including Premier League sides have been tracking him this season.

Formerly of Nottingham Forest, the young shot-stopper has enjoyed a couple of successful loans away from Fleetwood and has enhanced his growing reputation.

Bellizia spent the first half of the season on loan at Northern Premier League West club Clitheroe, before returning to Fleetwood to continue his development.

He signed his first professional contract with The Fishermen last summer and remains under contract next season, but clubs are now plotting moves to tempt him away.

Following a successful spell at Clitheroe, we have today recalled Oliver Bellizia from his loan spell at the Northern Premier League West club.

Oli will return to the club to continue his development on the Fylde Coast. pic.twitter.com/7rVaWhdD1p

Bellizia joined in 2023 when he signed from Nottingham Forest, a club with whom they have a strong relationship as Football Insider revealed Fleetwood had signed Josh Powell on loan in January.

The goalkeeper has impressed during his time in the club’s academy, while he has also enjoyed loan spells away as part of a long-term plan for his development.

Brighton and Southampton have been keeping a close eye on his progress, both clubs regard him highly and could move to offer him a step up the football pyramid.

The Seagulls and the Saints have both placed emphasis on academy recruitment in recent years, and Bellizia could be the latest young star to be snapped up.

Fleetwood are currently facing growing interest in a number of their academy stars and could struggle to keep hold of the goalkeeper if his suitors make a move.

Bellizia is not the only young Fleetwood star attracting interest from elsewhere, as Conor Haughey continues to be linked with a move away from Highbury.

Football Insider exclusively revealed in January that Premier League sides want to sign Haughey and have been keeping a close eye on his progress this season.

A number of Premier League and Championship sides are keeping tabs on Fleetwood’s teenage sensation Conor Haughey. #ftfc pic.twitter.com/If9JfbSV5A

The 18-year-old has broken into the first-team squad this season and made his League Two debut on New Year’s Day, sparking interest in the mid-season window.

Fleetwood are understood to be reluctant to lose one of their most promising young players this summer, but may struggle to see off Premier League interest.

A number of Championship clubs are also believed to be keeping tabs on his situation and could offer him a route up the football league.

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