Crystal Palace, Southampton among five clubs circling for 27-goal Brentford starlet
Crystal Palace and Southampton are part of a five-club battle to sign Brentford youngster Nathan Young-Coombes, according to a report.
Young-Coombes is a 19-year-old winger who can operate on the right flank or at centre-forward. He has been in exceptional form this season, hitting 27 goals for Brentford’s B team.
The starlet, formerly an England U17 international, is clearly ready to take the next step in his career by competing at senior level.
And teams from across Great Britain are aiming to offer Young-Coombes just that.
According to The Scottish Sun, Crystal Palace and Southampton both want to sign the attacker this summer.
They are joined in the transfer race by Championship clubs QPR, Bournemouth and Swansea City.
The five teams reckon Young-Coombes is a star of the future and would be a shrewd addition to their respective squads.
Tough for Crystal Palace to land player
However, it will be hard to prize him away from the Brentford Community Stadium. Bees manager Thomas Frank is aware of Young-Coombes’ talent and wants him to gain first-team experience – but only through a loan spell.
As such, Brentford will enter into negotiations for a temporary transfer this summer. However, it will take a significant offer for them to even consider a sale.
Young-Coombes is yet to make his Brentford debut, although it could come in the final few months of the season if his impressive form continues.
The player spent time in the Chelsea and Crystal Palace academies before joining Rangers U18s three years ago.
He became part of the Scottish outfit’s reserve team but returned to England with Brentford last year.
Young-Coombes’ Brentford contract runs until 2024 and includes the option of a further year. As such, Frank’s side will not be forced into a sale any time soon.
Eagles man wanted by Arsenal
Meanwhile, Arsenal are reportedly ready to push through with their initial interest by lodging a firm bid for Palace star Michael Olise.
The wide man regularly came up against Gunners ace Bukayo Saka as a youngster. According to one of Olise’s former managers, ‘it was basically the Michael and Bukayo show’.
And the attacking pair could now link up at senior level as the Daily Mail claim Arsenal are preparing an offer.
Olise is also at the centre of an international battle involving four countries…
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