A semi-professional Nigerian player in England, Samuel Oguntayo has gained a remarkable link for a possible summer transfer deal at English Premier League side, Crystal Palace; megasportsarena.com reports.
Although Ogunkoya is currently surfing through the backwaters in non-league football with Kingstonian FC, he could be on his way into brighter spotlight ahead of next season, as Crystal Palace are reportedly pursuing his signature.
In what could be a move to regain their tradition of having Nigerian players in their squad, the former club of Victor Moses, Victor Akinwale, David Omilabu and Henry Humgbo are looking at also signing Ogunkoya in the off-season, having sent their scouts to watch him repeatedly.
A report by popular British tabloid, The Sun adds that The Eagles’ scouts were present during a 4-2 loss by Ogunkoya’s club against to Cheshunt on Wednesday, during which the 17-year-old lad again impressed, just as he has done for the better part of this season already.
That despite the fact that his first senior opportunity with his club came only in January, and he has not looked back ever since, which has cumulated in him getting the golden chance to train last week with Palace’s under-23 team.
There is now talk of a permanent deal looking likely for Ogunkoya at Selhurst Park, as Palace appear keen on reaching a deal for the youngster, whose style is said to be most similar to that of Manchester City left-back Benjamin Mendy.
Ogunkoya could not be on his way towards gaining from a new policy in place at Palace, as the London-based EPL outfit are working hard to find other young talents, as they believe it would help them reduce the cost of fielding a competitive team in the Premier League moving forward.
Palace, though, will have to move fast and decisively, as Manchester City are also said to be in the race for Oguntayo, who the EPL champions also had their scouts in attendance to watch, even after he accepted an offer to train with Palace’s U23s at their Copers Cope Road ground.
The Sun added: “The pacy teen, who has been likened to City ace Benjamin Mendy, can operate both at left-back and right-wing and has also attracted interest from Watford and Leeds United.
“Palace meanwhile announced last year their plan to invest in the club’s Beckenham academy to become a breeding ground for talent from south London. While the new set-up was put in place to eventually help Palace’s first-team squad, Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s £50m move to Manchester United also proved the value of good academy graduates.
“(Crystal Palace) chairman, Steve Parish claimed that the club want to tap into the ‘Wilfried Zaha effect’ by attracting youngsters from the area that accounted for 14 per cent of last season’s players in the Premier League.”
