West Ham and Man City teenage transfer target 'excellent' and shows 'prowess' in professional debut aged 16

West Ham and Manchester City transfer target Harrison Duncan put on an 'assured' performance as he made his professional debut for Rotherham United on Tuesday evening in Football League Trophy action.

The 16-year-old is part of the Millers' under-18 squad but was thrust into first team action yesterday. Duncan is highly thought of, not only at Rotherham United, but across the football leagues and was the centre of transfer rumours this summer.

West Ham linked with 16-year-old

Alan Nixon reported that the Hammers were one of several Premier League clubs monitoring the player's progress with a very bright future predicted for the teenager. The Millers boss Steve Evans also predicted a top flight move for the defender in the future and confirmed that Championship clubs had been in contact over a potential move.

Duncan featured in the 3-1 win over Newcastle United under-21s as Rotherham United progressed in the cup. Speaking after the game, assistant manager Paul Raynor said: "Harrison wasn't fazed by that and he wasn't fazed tonight. It's another step in his learning process. He took his chance with both hands and we're delighted with him.

"He took everything in his stride. He's been training with the first team for a few weeks now so he knows all the guys."

Duncan makes debut against Newcastle United

Former Preston North End and Portsmouth defender Joe Rafferty was entrusted with helping the teenager through his debut but the Rotherham Advertiser reported that 'the right-back's influence was barely required'. The outlet added that 'Duncan looked assured at the back and was also a dangerous presence in the Magpies’ penalty area at set-pieces, getting his head to several deliveries'.

Raynor said: "We did a little bit of work yesterday. Harrison's heading prowess was excellent. You could see he's got a good leap and good timing. He could have got himself on the scoresheet, which would have been amazing."

As links with a move to West Ham and Manchester City began to circulate this summer, Steve Evans wasn't afraid to praise the rising star and predict a bright future at the top of the game. The manager said that 'big clubs will come calling' in the near future.

Steve Evans - ‘He could flourish at Premier League clubs’

He told TEAMtalk: “We just signed him from Doncaster City after he was recommended to me by someone who has spotted some gems like Ronaldo Vieira and Siriki Dembele for me in the past. Harrison is just 16 but the football he has been playing has been outstanding for someone so young.

“He has been around the first-team training and in practice games he has come up against experienced strikers like Jonson Clarke-Harris, Jordan Hugill and Sam Nombe – boys who have gone for big money – and he has held his own against them. In the youth team, he has already had a couple of man-of-the-match performances and we think very highly of him.

“However, the most important thing is for Harrison to keep his feet on the ground and continue to work hard and develop as that is so important at his age.

“After his second game for the youth team I had two managers from Championship clubs on to me asking about Harrison, but I just want to let the boy develop and nurture his talent. I think he could easily go to the youth teams of the top clubs in the Premier League and flourish.

“If Harrison keeps grounded, I believe he will have a really big future ahead of him and although I would love that to be with us I am realistic to know that once the big clubs come calling it will be hard to keep him.”