Chris Swailes believes £2million may be needed to secure Hamilton starlet James McCarthy's services.
Veteran defender tipping Hamilton youngster for the top
Hamilton's departing defender Chris Swailes believes £2million may be needed to secure in-demand starlet James McCarthy's services.
The talented 18-year-old was the subject of a recent £500,000 bid from Premier League outfit Portsmouth, however, their offer was swiftly rejected.
Swailes has overseen McCarthy's New Douglas Park progress closer than most and he believes the teenager's ability and potential is frightening.
The vastly-experienced stopper thinks the youngster could benefit from another season of SPL football, although when he does leave the club have plenty of budding talent waiting in the wing to fill his shoes.
"I've been at Hamilton for two-and-a-half seasons now," he told skysports.com. "He just got into the side before I came. Even in the two years he's come on leaps and bounds and there's more to come.
Frightening
"He's played over 100 games and he's just turned 18. He's just got an ability to go past players like they aren't there. The potential in him is frightening.
"I think the chairman and the board did well in knocking back £500,000 for him because he worth much more then that to be fair. He's one for the future. He really is.
"I think a move will come about at some stage. It'll just be down to who he chooses from. Perhaps another season wouldn't do him any harm. It really depends on what the club offer and who wants him offers.
"It might be £2million and I think you've got to take their hand off. For Hamilton to have £2million for a player who came through the youth system would be massive. It's something that they couldn't turn down.
"He would be hard to replace, but they've got a conveyor belt of young players at Hamilton who would get in the side."
New club
Meanwhile, Swailes is on the lookout for a new club after being told he would not be offered a new deal at Hamilton.
The 38-year-old former Oldham, Rotherham and Bury defender believes he still has plenty to offer and is hoping to find a new team near his home in the North East.
"I'm on the lookout for other clubs," he told skysports.com. "I'm in the North East area and I'm trying to get a club in that region.
"I'm 38, but I do feel like I've got a lot to offer. It's what manager thinks that as well.
"I've done my coaching badges and have my A-license, but I still think there's a lot left in the tank.
"I've been in contact with a few clubs, but as yet there's nothing on the table."