Preston North End manager Ryan Lowe has criticised reports that have circulated in the media linking Manchester United and other Premier League teams to Felipe Rodriguez-Gentile.
The Brazilian has been performing admirably for the Lancashire club's academy team and caught the headlines after scoring five goals in Preston's 6-1 victory over Rotherham United in the FA Youth Cup. Following that display, the Daily Mirror reported that United, along with Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are all watching the youngster closely.
When asked about these rumours, Lowe was quick to dispel them and criticised the reports regarding Rodriguez-Gentile's future. Speaking to the Lancashire Post, the ex-Bury man said: "He’s a good little player.
"He scored five goals and is a fantastic talent but he’s 16. It’s bizarre when people say he’s linked with this, linked with that.
"We’ve had no confirmation or interest with any of those clubs. It’s easy for someone to say they’re in for him, but it’s wrong in my eyes because the kid is a baby and still in school.
"You don’t want someone seeing that and getting carried away. He’s an academy kid, I haven’t got anything more than that.
"We’ve got some other players clubs have looked at, but when he scores five goals in a game of that magnitude everyone goes: ‘He’s a good player,’ but why wasn’t he one last year?
"He’s well grounded and doing the job he’s supposed to do. If he keeps doing what he’s doing then he’ll have a career but we can’t get too carried away.
"Sometimes it’s unfair. It could all just be paper talk.
"If it goes beyond that then we will have to step in and make sure he’s alright, but we’ve had no information saying anyone wants him and he’s contracted to Preston North End. I revert back to the conversation with reporters about giving players marks.
"I don’t care who you are, every parent looks at the papers. If you see yourself get a four in the paper, how does that mentally make you feel?
"That’s the thing with kids who have people interested. Their mates only have to ring them up, and then naturally they go above their station.
"I always try to make sure they’re on a level playing field and if they need anything then we are there for them. There’s a big mental illness up and down the country and it bugs me."
United currently have a strong relationship with the Championship club. Alvaro Fernandez is on loan at Deepdale at the moment and has become a key player for them this season.