NEW Road chief executive Mark Newton has confirmed that Worcestershire are hoping to sign England Under 19 star Moeen Ali from rivals Warwickshire.

The County have put in a 28-day approach to the Edgbaston club to discuss terms with Moeen, who is out of contract at the end of this season.

Newton hopes Worcestershire's strong ties with Moeen's family will help persuade the 19-year-old batsman to make the short journey down the M5 to join up with Steve Rhodes' squad.

The player is Kabir Ali's cousin and the brother of former Worcestershire batsman Kadeer Ali.

Newton said: "We have very good links with the Ali family and Moeen Ali is a very good player. At this time of year we start planning ahead and thinking who is available.

"However, it is important that the message is this is the way things are done.

"We have put in the 28-day request to Warwickshire and we have not spoken to the player, nor will we do so for the next 28 days."

Moeen, who has captained the England Under 19 side in the past, has apparently grown frustrated with a lack of first-team opportunities at Edgbaston.

Newton added the club are preparing to talk to the four youngsters -- all-rounder Daryl Mitchell, quick bowlers Stuart Wedge and Richard Jones and spinner Shaftab Khalid -- who are out of contract at New Road this season.

"As for our players whose contracts are expiring this year, we will be talking to them in the next month and we will make a decision then or talk to them again at the end of the season," he said.

"None of the other members of our squad -- apart from Graeme Hick -- are out of contract at the end of this year. You can't argue with the way Graeme has played this season -- he has produced some master-class innings, such as the one that won the game against Somerset on Sunday.

"He is in good form, is positive about his future and we will continue discussions later this season."