Norwich City Opinion: Canaries should beat Leeds United in the race to sign Mark Travers
According to The Irish Sun, newly-promoted outfit, Norwich City and Championship promotion-hopefuls Leeds United are ready to go head-to-head in a transfer tug of war over Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers in the summer window.
The 20-year-old Irishman made his first-team bow for the Cherries against Spurs this past season and caught the eye with some marvellous saves in his very first game for the club, as Bournemouth got the better of the North Londoners for the first time in their history.
Travers became the first ever teenage goalkeeper since Joe Hart in 2006 to start a Premier League game and his incredible debut earned him his second start in the final game of the season against Crystal Palace, although the Cherries suffered a 5-3 defeat away from home.
The 20-year-old is yet to learn what kind of a role he is set to play next at the Vitality Stadium next season but it is understood that Bournemouth could ideally be looking to loan him out in order to gain more first-team experience. (h/t Irish Sun)
Travers has two years left on his current contract, and while the Cherries are likely to hand him fresh and improved terms in the coming days, the youngster has already attracted interest from Norwich and Leeds, who are ready to take him on loan. (h/t Irish Sun)
The 20-year-old Maynooth-born shot-stopper has represented the Republic of Ireland at all youth levels from U-16 to U-21 and his promising Premier League debut earned him a call-up to Mick McCarthy’s senior international side in March, although he is yet to make his senior debut.
Travers played for Irish clubs Lucan United, Cherry Orchard and Shamrock Rovers at the youth level before joining Bournemouth at the youth level back in 2016 as a 17-year-old. He spent time on loan at National League South outfit Weymouth in the 2017-18 season before making his first-team against Spurs.
To put things into perspective, Mark Travers is still very young and relatively untested at the highest level but he could still be a decent signing for both the aforementioned clubs. The 20-year-old showed glimpses of his brilliance by registering a clean sheet on his debut against Spurs and it looks like both the clubs are prepared to play a low-cost gamble on him with a loan move.
While Norwich City are apparently looking at Travers as a back-up for No.1 Tim Krul in the Premier League next season, Leeds United could certainly do with another young and promising goalkeeper in their ranks to provide cover and competition for Kiko Casilla and Bailey Peacock-Farrell, given their neither of the existing players has particularly been convincing.
However, the Canaries would do themselves a big favour by getting this deal over the line, as Daniel Farke looks to build a strong enough squad capable of beating the drop in the top-flight.
Krul is likely to retain his role.1 status between the sticks, despite looking shaky at times in the Championship this past season. The Dutchman has a bagful of Premier League experience under his belt with Newcastle United and Norwich should definitely take that into consideration but a young and promising shot-stopper like Travers would certainly keep the veteran on his toes as far as the No.1 role is concerned.
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This is not a move that is likely to create too much noise amongst the fans at Carrow Road but the acquisition of Mark Travers on loan could prove to be a shrewd piece of business for the Canaries.
