Spurs Opinion: Lilywhites should try and win the race for Bolton prodigy Luca Connell
According to The Sun, Spurs are ready to swoop for 18-year-old Bolton Wanderers starlet Luca Connell, who is out of contract this summer.
The Sun understands that the Republic of Ireland youth international has caught the eyes of Wolves, Everton and newly-promoted Norwich City, while Southampton and Brighton had approaches turned down back in the January transfer window.
Bolton Wanderers are currently in debt of £41.6 million and the club is likely to go into administration after getting relegated from the Championship this season.
The Trotters finished second-last in the Championship under the stewardship of Phil Parkinson and owner Ken Anderson wants to take the option of administration to prevent a takeover, The Sun understands.
The Liverpool-born starlet came through the youth ranks at Bolton to successfully break into the first-team this season, making his debut as a late substitute in an FA Cup victory over Walsall back in January.
The 18-year-old was handed his league debut in a 1-1 draw against Reading the later in the same month and has made a total of 10 appearances in the Championship this term for the Trotters.
Connell came into the first-team as a left wing-back but was shifted to a holding midfield role in due course of time. The 18-year-old has impressed with his sharpness and flair on the ball, while also showcasing commendable game-reading abilities.
A regular for Ireland at all youth levels up to U19, the starlet has earned plaudits for his good range of passing and ability to keep things ticking in the midfield with his good work ethics.
The 18-year-old boasts of an impressive pass success rate of 75.2 in his debut season, while averaging 1.2 dribbles, 1.9 tackles and 3.7 successful long balls per game in the Championship. Thes figures are a clear testament to his abilities and potential and his impressive breakthrough at Bolton hasn’t gone unnoticed, with several Premier League clubs keen to offer him a contract.
To put things into perspective, Spurs should look to try and win the race for the talented teenager in the summer, although one would hardly expect him to make the step up to the Premier League so early in his career.
However, he is one for the future and the Lilywhites have a reputation of successfully moulding little-known talents into first-team stars, as evident from the growth of players like Oliver Skipp, Luke Amos, Harry Winks and Dele Alli.
Spurs have invested heavily to get their new stadium ready before the end of the ongoing season, which has, in turn, taken a toll on the club’s budget, so much so that they haven’t signed a single new player for two transfer windows.
Even though they have exceeded expectations on all fronts under the charismatic guidance of Mauricio Pochettino one cannot help but feel that Spurs are in dire need of doing some useful business this summer.
Connell would probably go into the club’s youth ranks if Spurs do, indeed, manage to win the race for the talented teenager. Given that he would be available for free, the Lilywhites should look at it as a smart piece of business to increase competition in their youth ranks.
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There is no doubt that Luca Connell is a player with a bright future and a move to Spurs might as well work wonders for his development.