West Ham and Stoke City have joined the race to sign Ebbsfleet youngster Shilow Tracey.

That means three Premier League giants are chasing the midfielder’s signature, Tracey having trialled at Tottenham last month.

And the 17-year-old is also interesting Championship clubs Charlton, Ipswich, Reading and Sheffield Wednesday.

Ebbsfleet United academy player Shilow Tracey Picture: Barry Goodwin

Tracey looks certain to move on but Fleet vice-chairman Peter Varney insists the club will do what’s right for the player – as well as looking after their own interests.

He said: "The main thing is to protect the boy. We want to avoid him playing games (on trial) every 24 hours because that’s not going to do him any favours. He mustn’t just be used on trial and then dumped because that could have a negative effect on the player.

"Do you stop the boy having the chance of a lifetime, with all the money you can earn in the Premier League?

"We’re trying to produce players for Ebbsfleet but if you produce a top-class player like Shilow, you can’t hold the lad back.

"You can’t beat the Premier League. However much you might want to say ‘we’ll take on Spurs,’ you have to be pragmatic and make sure Ebbsfleet gets the best deal possible."

Tracey signed a contract towards the end of last season so he wouldn’t walk away for nothing.

Mr Varney said: "Premier League compensation rules are completely biased against the lower teams but if he decides that he wants to go, we’ll protect the club.

"We would end up getting compensation and we want to make sure he goes to the right club. Compensation regulations are one thing but the traditional formula is something related to performance – how many first-team games he plays.

"Ebbsfleet have developed him so they get rewarded."

Shilow Tracey on the ball during Ebbsfleet's FA Youth Cup win at Gillingham Picture: Barry Goodwin

Daryl McMahon only launched the Fleet academy last summer but already it’s thriving. Tracey’s team-mates Karn Miller-Neave, Joe Denny and Mitch Liddle are also being monitored by bigger clubs.

Mr Varney said: "In an ideal world, a player comes through your academy and he’s a first-team player for you but this is not an ideal world. Once the Premier League teams come calling, there’s not much you can do about it.

"It speak volumes for the academy that Shilow’s not the only one being courted by a Premier League club. It’s quite a tribute to Daryl and the team.

"He’s got a good relationship with Daryl and we’re in touch with Shilow’s father."

Tracey’s transfer could be imminent but he has at least one more big game left in the red and white of Ebbsfleet.

Mr Varney said: "When we’re on such a good run in the FA Youth Cup, it’s important for the club (that he’s playing).

"We’re one game away from a glamour tie. He’s tight with the other boys and it would be unfair if we were to go further in the competition, draw Manchester United at home and he couldn’t play.

"That’s something we would talk about with the other club."