HITC Sport understands that a number of Premier League clubs, including Swansea and Crystal Palace, are chasing Barnet hot-shot Matt Stevens.

Premier League duo Swansea City and Crystal Palace are leading the race to sign Barnet youngster Matt Stevens, HITC Sport understands from sources close to the club.

Stevens earned rave reviews for Barnet last season, scoring more than 50 goals for the club’s Under-18 side.

The 17-year-old was released by Reading last summer despite being a prolific goalscorer for the club’s Under-16s and Barnet moved quickly to snap him up.

Stevens became Barnet’s youngest ever first-team player when he came off the bench against Alfreton last September and Bees boss Martin Allen has tipped the teenager for big things.

A host of Premier League clubs have been keeping tabs on Stevens after sending scouts to watch him in action at the Hive throughout the 2014/15 campaign.

Swansea and Palace are big admirers of Stevens and are ready to test Barnet’s resolve to keep their prized asset before the transfer window closes.

In other news, Photo: £35m player turns up to Arsenal training, Arteta gave him day off