Gareth Bale could set a new transfer record this summer with Real Madrid and Manchester United squaring up for the Welshman’s signature, but whilst the big boys pursue the obvious, here are some of the quieter dealings for some of English football’s future stars…
Born to score: Dwight Gayle
Released as a teenager by Arsenal, undeterred by early setbacks the 22 year old striker has persevered to make it to the top flight. A handful of years later, via the ninth tier of English football, the Londoner has worked hard and has enjoyed a meteoric rise with a recent transfer to newly- promoted Crystal Palace.
With 57 goals in the 2010-11 season at Stansted, Gayle began making waves in the depths of English football. Dagenham and Redbridge spotted the talented teenager and snapped him up where he scored seven goals in 18 appearances for the League Two club, before he was sent out on loan to Bishop’s Stortford due to financial reasons.
The striker continued his fine form at the Conference South side, where he smashed an impressive 29 goals in 42 appearances in the sixth tier of English football. His thirst for goals continued during his loan spell at Peterborough United in the Championship before they were relegated. He notched up 13 goals in 29 appearances and many are excited by the prospects of Gayle playing in the Premier League this season.
Speaking to the Guardian, Palace boss Ian Holloway said: “He’s born to score goals. Goals from certain people just keep happening, it doesn’t matter which level you start at, they just keep happening.”
With that sort of faith and confidence in the player, the striker should be given plenty of airtime at Selhurst Park this season and will certainly be one to watch…
Pipeline dreams: Foday Nabay
It is not often a 15-year old footballer is sold for money; let alone the £200,000 Fulham stumped up to bring the midfielder to their academy as a scholar. The England under-16 international has huge potential and has been carefully tracked by a whole host of Premier League teams.
The footballer was one of Birmingham City’s home-grown starlets; it was even believed that the player could have made his full senior debut for the club had he not joined Fulham this summer.
Born in Sierra Leone, before moving to England, Nabay has been in the Birmingham City youth set-up since 2006. He was also called up to the England under-16 team at just 14 years old, given time and the right coaching he is an exciting future prospect, watch this space…
Final Thought:
Chelsea offer £40m Wayne Rooney, a player who has surely reached his peak, meanwhile Dwight Gayle was snapped up by Crystal Palace in a deal worth £4.5m.There’s a well-known saying about more money than sense…
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