Crystal Palace track England and Port Vale youngster

Crystal Palace have been keeping tabs on 17-year-old striker Baylee Dipepa, the South London Press understands.

Dipepa made his Port Vale debut at the start of the 2023-24 season as a 16-year-old, coming on in an EFL Trophy clash against League Two side Crewe Alexandra.

He penned his first professional deal in January 2024 and made 22 League One appearances last season for the Valients as they were relegated to the fourth tier, scoring twice and picking up three assists.

Dipepa became the club’s second youngest goal scorer in March scoring in a 2-1 defeat against Shrewsbury.

After an impressive start to life with England’s U17 squad, scoring three times in the build-up to the U17 European Championship, Dipepa was called up to this summer’s tournament and scored in their opening 4-0 win over France.

Palace will face tough competition for Dipepa’s signature should they choose to swoop for him, with West Ham and Manchester United both linked with the youngster in recent weeks.

The Eagles have made a habit of plucking the best talent from the EFL in previous years, with sporting director Dougie Freedman signing Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise and Adam Wharton from the Championship.