Along with Burnley's 15-year-old striker John Cofie, The Times says manager Rafa Benitez and new academy chief Piet Hamberg are lining up deals to sign at least four other teenagers.

One is Lauri Dalla Valle, a 16-year-old Finnish midfield player, while Hamberg is also believed to be closing in on two highly-rated youngsters from the Netherlands and one from Germany.