Crystal Palace lead Brighton in race for Leyton Orient teenager Tristan Abrahams

Crystal Palace have made an enquiry for Leyton Orient’s teenage forward Tristan Abrahams.

Abrahams was thrown into the Orient side during the closing weeks of last season, when the club – then owned by Italian businessman Francesco Becchetti – was in chaos and heading for relegation to the National League.

Abrahams, 18, signed his first professional contract only last November – an initial two-year deal – but Standard Sport understands he has already caught the eye of clubs much higher up the food chain, with Palace leading the way. He made nine appearances in League Two last season, including four starts, and scored two goals.

Brighton, newly-promoted to the Premier League, are also interested, with indications that the fee could reach about £250,000.

Were Abrahams to leave Orient for either of those clubs, he would link up initially with their Under-23 squads, rather than the first-team group. It is thought Abrahams’ team-mate Steven Alzate, another 18-year-old forward who signed professional forms last September, has also attracted interest from Brighton.

While it would not be easy for Orient to retain players wanted by top-flight clubs, the feeling at Brisbane Road is that their career prospects would be helped if they stay put.

Many at English clubs feel Under-23 football lacks competitive edge, whereas the National League provides a crash course in the realities of the professional game. The sense at Orient is that if Alzate and Abrahams play a full season with them, they would make progress more quickly than in an Under-23 side.