Dario Gradi
Crewe’s Director of Football Dario Gradi is aware that Nick Powell is attracting big clubs, but he is adamant to keep the 18-year-old Reuters

Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City are interested in signing Crewe Alexandra starlet Nick Powell in the summer transfer window, according to Goal.com.

The 18-year-old forward is highly rated in League Two and is a product of the Crewe academy that boasts of talents such as Danny Murphy, Dean Ashton and Robbie Savage.

"All the big clubs are looking at Nick Powell," Goal.com quotes a source as saying.

"There have been approaches from Arsenal and Chelsea, as well as Manchester City. But they have been told he is not available. Crewe rate him in the seven figure category, even up to £1.5m but they don't want to sell and (Crewe's Director of Football) Dario Gradi is adamant he won't leave. Historically, he is very good at persuading young players to serve their apprenticeships before moving to the big clubs," the source added.

Powell, who has scored 11 league goals for Crewe this season, is part of the England U-18 team and is praised for showing creativity, composure, anticipation that is way above his age level.

He is known to have the ability to find space, dictate the tempo of games and maintain possession. Powell plays for his club as striker, attacking midfielder or winger but can also operate effectively in a deep-lying playmaker role.