According to The Sun, Tottenham are leading competition from Manchester United and Chelsea to sign £3 million-rated Blackburn youngster Ashley Phillips.
Phillips has excelled at his age-group level for Rovers and has earned recognition for a string of stellar performances in the Premier League 2 this season.
The centre-back’s playing style has been compared to Liverpool leader Virgil Van Dijk, and like the Dutchman, Phillips stands at a commanding 6 foot 4 in, ensuring he is an intimidating presence for any opposing striker.
With exciting potential at just 16-years-old, the England under-17 star has interested a number of potential suitors, including Chelsea and Man United.
However, Spurs are reportedly in the driving seat for Phillip’s signature due to their willingness to get a deal over the line this summer instead of waiting until the player’s contract runs out in 2023.
Phillips himself has already earned regular training time with Tony Mowbray’s first-team squad at Ewood Park, and Mowbray himself was keen to sing the starlet’s praises to LancsLive.
“If you were to create a defender in the mould of how you would want one, this kid has got every attribute.
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“But he is still just a young boy. He needs time, which is why he’s training with the first team so that he gets confident and used to the level of intensity.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Spurs fans, and rightly so, will want the club to back Antonio Conte to the hilt as he looks to imprint his philosophy on the squad in this summer’s transfer window. That would mean a move away from the preferred strategy of recruiting young players who will rise in value.
Saying that this may be an opportunity which is too good to miss. Although unlikely to be a ready-made signing that improves the quality of our first 11, at just £3 million it seems like a punt that can be made with little negative consequence.
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