According to reports in the Daily Mail, Tottenham Hotspur are among a number of clubs keeping tabs on Stevenage's 18-year-old defender Ben Wilmot, but they could face competition for his signature from Premier League rivals Liverpool.

What's the word, then?

Soccer Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - October 22, 2017   Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino   Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs    EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for

Well, the Daily Mail says that 30 scouts watched the teenager in action for the League Two outfit's Checkatrade Trophy clash with Brighton and Hove Albion two weeks ago, with the centre-back filling in at right-back and featuring for the full 90 minutes.

Wilmot has certainly made a big impression on manager Darren Sarll too, and he has been named on the substitutes' bench for their last four league games.

Speaking about the 18-year-old – who signed his first pro contract in April – previously, Sarll said: "He plays like a 30-year-old, he's got a wonderful, mature outlook on the game."

Would he be a good signing for Tottenham?

Spurs have shown with the purchases of the likes of Dele Alli, Davinson Sanchez and Juan Foyth in recent seasons that they are keeping a close eye on the young talent that is around, and if they believe Wilmot can make it with them then of course he would be a good addition.

While he may not be ready for the first team yet, he could either continue his development with Stevenage, be loaned out to another side or even feature regularly for Spurs' youth sides should he join them.

Can they win the race for his signature?

The fact that 30 scouts watched Wilmot in action against Brighton certainly suggest that he could be a man in demand at some point in the future.

However, young players will look at the progress that someone like Dele Alli – and a youth product in Harry Winks in more recent times – has made since joining Spurs and feel confident that they will be given their chance under Mauricio Pochettino as long as they prove they are good enough.

https://video.footballfancast.com/video-2015/fplshow17.mp4