isn't there a law that says you can't sign a pro contract until 17???
the scholar is the only contract allowed to be offered, best thing is see what other clubs want him and consider the following factors,
chances of playing?
chances of progressing as all to often we see young players go to big clubs to play in a 3rd string team for many years where they could have stayed at the smaller club, made a move to a bigger club staedily progressing and in the spotlight, (if he's playing he'll get noticed at some point).
not sure if they did change the rules of signing youngsters but it was 17 and still think it is.