Well-placed Jamaica Observer sources have suggested that some respected European clubs have maintained an aggressive interest in Portland Timbers Reggae Boyz defender Alvas Powell.

At press time, this newspaper could not get official confirmation on the supposed interest in the player, but our sources say among the clubs that have been tracking the 20-year-old for some time are Italian Serie A outfit Palermo and Spanish La Liga’s Getafe.

And only recently, top Turkish club Konyaspor FC has joined the race for the 6′ 1″ player.

It was said that the European clubs had scouts monitoring the former Portmore United standout in a friendly against Serbia in New Jersey in the summer, and again they followed him to Niigata, Japan, for that friendly against the hosts last month.

Powell, a member of Jamaica’s Under-17 team to that age-group FIFA World Cup in Mexico in 2011, should currently be in Jamaica preparing for the CFU Caribbean Cup, which is scheduled to kick off in Montego Bay next Tuesday.

Scouts, our sources reveal, should be in Jamaica to monitor the versatile former Paul Bogle High player as they zoom in on him.

When reached, Romel Wallen, an agent who played a role in Powell’s loan move to the MLS, said: “I’ve heard whispers of a few good clubs being interested in Alvas.

“I am not aware of any formal bid made to either Portmore or MLS. Perhaps that might change in January. Let’s see how he gets on,” said Wallen of Pro-Goals Sports Capital.

Efforts to contact Portmore United manager, Clive Marshall, yesterday proved futile.

It is believed that if any deal between Portmore, MLS and any of the chasing clubs can be reached, that sum is expected to be in the region of seven figures.

Powell, who has played through the youth ranks of Jamaica, has 12 senior caps for the Reggae Boyz.

— Sean Williams