Southampton pip Tottenham Hotspur to Glebe FC youngster Nico Lawrence
According to Hampshire Live (h/t Express), Tottenham Hotspur have lost out in the transfer battle to sign talented young star Nico Lawrence from Glebe FC, after the teenager chose to sign for Southampton instead.
The non-league star is just 19 years of age but has already caught the attention of many clubs, including those from the Premier League. It clearly is a testament to the player’s ability that top-flight clubs are keeping tabs on him.
It is now confirmed that Lawrence has made a permanent move to the Saints and has signed an 18-month contract. Southampton’s academy is famed for bringing through talented players, and the Glebe FC man looks set to join this illustrious list.
The player, who joined the south coast club on trial, also turned out for Southampton’s B team last week. Despite Tottenham’s interest in Lawrence, the player seems to have ignored it and picked the Saints instead.
Transfer battle lost
Spurs meanwhile, had a frantic end to the January transfer window deadline as they missed out on some transfer targets throughout the month, and eventually ended up with Dejan Kulisevski and Rodrigo Bentancur as a double signing from Juventus on the final day of the winter window.
Both signings are yet to make a significant mark on the squad as of yet, with only Bentancur earning a start till now. However, the Uruguayan could not inspire his side to victory as Spurs lost 2-0 to Wolves in the Premier League last night, with Kulusevski also coming on midway through the first half.
It is claimed that Spurs had registered a concrete interest in Lawrence, but by the time the club got in touch with the non-league player, the teenager had already joined Southampton on trial. His time on trial has now been converted into an eighteen-month contract.
Missing out on Lawrence is yet another blot on Spurs’ transfer activity in the winter, having already missed out on top transfer targets in Luis Diaz and Adama Traore. While Luis moved to rivals Liverpool, Traore was snapped up by his former club Barcelona.
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Conte will hope that this news about missing out on Lawrence stops the recent trend of Spurs missing out on targets. It is sure to be embarrassing for a club of Tottenham’s stature to not attract top talent.
The summer will bring new hope and more transfer targets for Spurs to chase, and Conte will hope that the club will back him adequately. A repeat of the Lawrence incident must be avoided at all costs.
