Aston Villa and Leicester City are likely to be investigated by the Football Association in its inquiry into historical child sex abuse.
How much the clubs knew about the actions of former scout Ted Langford is said to fall within the inquiry's terms of reference, the Times reported.
He was jailed in 2007 for abusing four young players in the 70s and 80s. He died in 2012.
More than 50 clubs are potentially linked to the investigation.
The Times reported Langford was jailed at Birmingham Crown Court for abusing boys while he was a scout for both clubs.