Report: Tottenham set to be beaten to non-league talent by Cardiff City
Cardiff City are in pole position to beat Tottenham Hotspur to the signing of young Ollie Tanner from non-league side Lewes, according to The Sun.
The Lilywhites originally attempted to sign Tanner in January and even allegedly agreed on a fee with Lewes. However, the youngster did not see his immediate future in North London and personal terms were never reached (Sky Sports).
The 20-year-old operates primarily as a left-winger (TransferMarkt) and has caught the eye of many football league clubs with his pace, trickery, and directness.
Speaking to the Sussex Express, Lewes manager Tony Russell gave his view on Tanner’s decision to turn down Spurs.
He said: “What he’s ended up deciding is that going straight from step three of non-league to a Premier League club would be a step too far. In some ways, it could be seen as a dream move but think about it: What would be his chances of getting in their first team?
“Ollie wants to play first-team professional football and he probably has more chance of that by going to a smaller club. If he does that and does well and a bigger club then comes calling, great.”
Tanner believes that by joining Cardiff City, he would have a more attainable path to first-team football and therefore the opportunity to develop his trade in a quality league like the Championship (The Sun).
The youngster is reportedly now undergoing a medical with the Welsh side ahead of signing a three-year contract.
Spurs Web Opinion
With the fuss surrounding him, it is clear that Tanner is a talented player with bags of potential. However, with Son Heung-Min registering his most prolific season in front of goal so far in his Spurs career, the youngster’s pathway to first-team football would likely be blocked for the foreseeable future. Therefore, his decision to sign for Steve Morison’s Cardiff will likely benefit his development.
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