A NUMBER of Premier League clubs are set to battle to sign former Pickering ace Billy Fewster.

The 19-year-old is into the final six months of his contract at Nottingham Forest, who ended their 23-year wait for Premier League football at the end of last season following a 1-0 triumph against Huddersfield Town in the Sky Bet Championship play-off final at Wembley, whom he joined from the academy at fellow Premier League side Leeds United in the summer of 2021.

Forest are reportedly keen to extend Fewster’s contract amid interest from up to five top-flight suitors over the past few months, with the former Pickering Town junior having impressed for the club’s under 21 side under coach Dave Rogers.

A former member of the Pickering youth team, Fewster played for the Pikes from ages eight until 11 in their youth side, before impressing scouts at Leeds United and transitioning to join the academy at the West Yorkshire outfit.

Fewster was handed his senior debut for the club by manager Steve Cooper in the Reds’ Emirates FA Cup Third Round tie against Sky Bet Championship strugglers Blackpool at Bloomfield Road on January 7, a match in which the visitors won 4-1.

The versatile midfielder played 65 minutes for the visitors before being replaced by Ryan Yates, who has made 130 appearances for the club since 2016 after progressing through the academy.

Premier League newcomers Forest are well known for nurturing academy talent, with current first-team Brennan Johnson and Joe Worrall having joined the club as youngsters.

Poland international Matty Cash is also one of the club’s homegrown talents, making more than 120 appearances for Forest before sealing a move to Aston Villa for a reported £16 million in 2020.

It is understood that Fewster is keen to have his future secured by the end of the January transfer window.