Tottenham are set to lose a talented youngster to Premier League heavyweights Manchester City.
Tottenham have been battling Manchester United for various targets this season, including Brentford forward Bryan Mbuemo.
In addition, the UEFA Europa League final and an off-field legal battle involving Manchester United’s co-owners, INEOS, mean that most of the Lilywhites’ focus has been on the Red Devils in recent months.
However, it looks as though it is Manchester City who are about to deal the Lilywhites a fresh blow.
Dexter Oliver set to sign for Manchester City
As previously reported, 16-year-old Dexter Oliver is set to leave Tottenham after refusing a two-year scholarship offer from the North London club [Lilywhite Rose].
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Manchester United and Manchester City were both in the running for his signature. However, it seems Pep Guardiola’s side have come out on top.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano (19 June), Manchester City are advancing in talks to sign Oliver, as part of their strategy to develop top young players.
The talented teenager is thought to have been unsatisfied with how he was used for the Tottenham Under-18s last season.
And Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes Roc Nations Sports, who Oliver signed with in March, have played a big part in the youngster refusing an offer from Spurs.
“This is an extremely frustrating situation,” Wenham said.
“As I understand it, Oliver wanted to play the number 10 role, which Luca Williams-Barnett had locked down, a decision you can’t really argue based on his form.
“However, Williams-Barnett is likely to be moving up to the Under-21s next season, so there would have been plenty of chances for Oliver to play in his preferred position for the 18s.
“It is very frustrating because Oliver has been at Tottenham for a while and excelled. However, it seems as though his agents have turned his head, and he will now be joining Manchester City.”
Tottenham need to continue to develop young talents
The Lilywhites would not have won the UEFA Europa League last season without their young core.
Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall emerged as key players while Spurs’ regular starters were injured, with Bergvall working his way up to become one of the most important players in North London.
And now that Thomas Frank has been appointed head coach, several more young players could climb the ranks next season.