USMNT hopes dashed? Italy boss Luciano Spalletti confirms Luca Koleosho is in his plans ahead of Euro 2024 despite Burnley owner JJ Watt's attempts to get teenage star to commit to Stars & Stripes

USMNT boss Gregg Berhalter might be in "regular" touch with the winger, but if Spalletti appears to be weighing up a potential role for Koleosho at the 2024 European Championship in Germany. The Burnley winger was born in the United States but was raised by a Nigerian father and an Italian-Canadian mother, which makes him eligible to represent Nigeria, Italy and Canada, as well as the USMNT.

Spalletti says he is keeping a close eye on a string of youngsters, including Koleosho, who he believes has the qualities to make a mark on the international stage. Speaking to Italian station Rai 2, the Italy boss said: "My duty is to look, observe and find out all that can make people celebrate. Players like Kayode, Ranieri, Koleosho and Casadei have emerged. We’ve been monitoring them for a while. Bove is a certainty and I’ve liked Lucca’s behaviour lately. Then Prati and Calafiori. The latter is a certainty in the middle [of defence] and on the left and is ready for the national team."

Burnley co-owner JJ Watt has revealed that he remains open to talking to Koleosho to convince him to choose the USMNT over Italy, after his impressive performances at Turf Moor this season. However, Watt will only take that step once he is sure that the teenager "understands who I am and what I’m about before I try to have any sort of influence on his life".

Koleosho has been a regular under Vincent Kompany since his arrival at Burnley from Espanyol in the summer and has close to 1000 minutes under his belt in the Premier League. He has scored one goal and provided two assists this season, with his only strike coming against Tottenham. He will return to action when the Clarets lock horns against Ange Postecoglou's side again on January 5 in an FA Cup third-round match.