Queen’s Park have agreed a deal for Celtic transfer target Harris Afzal with Southampton.
The Spiders have settled a fee with the English Championship club for their promising teenager.The attacking left-back has recently been involved in Sean Crighton’s first-team plans.
The 16-year-old has impressed as he progressed through the ranks at Queen’s Park.
He has attracted interest from Rangers and Celtic, along with several other leading English clubs.Southampton now hopes to get ahead of those competitors.
They aim to finalise a move and terms for the defender this week.
The South Coast club is currently in talks with the player and his representatives.
Afzal was allowed to travel for a trial at Southampton a few weeks ago.
The youngster featured in a game and made a strong impression.
So much so that the Saints are keen to secure an immediate move to integrate him into their academy.
Southampton previously signed teenage defender Rory Whittaker from Hibs last summer.They continue to monitor young talent north of the border, having previously benefitted from first-team signings such as Virgil van Dijk, Fraser Forster, Victor Wanyama, and Stuart Armstrong.
Queen’s Park also maintain a solid youth setup, although it has been hit by recent cutbacks at the Scottish Championship club.
The Mount Florida side sold young goalkeeper Callan McKenna to Premier League Bournemouth back in 2024.
McKenna is now making a name for himself at the Cherries and has already earned a call-up to Steven Clarke’s Scotland squad.