OLDHAM Athletic are set to cash in on defensive dynamo Damon Park, with Premier League newcomers Fulham the favourites to sign the teenager, making him the first big-money sale since Zak Emmerson two years ago.

The 16-year-old centre half has been scouted my a number of clubs but seems destined for Craven Cottage as an investment for the future after the London club returned to the top flight as champions, while Latics dropped out of the Football League.

And relegation means Fulham have been able to negotiate a bargain price, with Oldham set to receive £180,000.

More could come the club's way over the course of the next few years in the form extras based on appearances, any achievements and a sell-on.

Park has progressed through the youth department at Oldham and has impressed at Under 16 level over the course of the last season.

Latics have largely operated in a free transfer and loan market in recent seasons with both incoming and outgoing players.

Should the deal go through, it would be Latics' biggest outgoing transfer since teenage forward Emmerson joined Brighton for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £130,000 in the summer of 2020.

Emmerson made history at the start of the 2019/20 season by becoming the youngest ever player to represent the club.

At just 15 years and 73 days old he was also the second youngest player to play in the English Football League.

Emmerson made three first team appearances that season, including being handed his full debut in the EFL Trophy against Fleetwood Town in November 2019.

The striker had earned his shot after impressing and showing consistency at youth level, throughout the age groups, and was recognised as a hard working front man with a keen eye for goal, scoring on a regular basis.

Following his sale to Brighton, then head of Academy Paul Murray said of Emmerson: "Zak has epitomised all of the values we want from our players and has been at the forefront of this with his mentality, attitude and work ethic. At such a young age he is mature beyond his years.

"It's a great lesson to others as he's had an opportunity thanks to the head coach for putting him into the team and has taken it at the first time of asking.

"As a result he was spotted by Brighton and they've kept an eye on him ever since."

Unlike players such as Harry Vaughan and Benny Couto who were fast-tracked to the first team and professional contracts, Park has remained involved with the club's Under 16s and has not yet been around the first team.