Sheffield United have reportedly fended off competition from Chelsea and Manchester United over the signing of Irish teenage talent Sam Curtis.
According to HITC, 18-year-old Republic of Ireland teenage starlet Sam Curtis is set to complete his move to Sheffield United from St. Patrick’s Athletic in the coming days after they won the race for his signature, with Manchester City and Chelsea reported to have been interested in the Meath man.
Currently with St. Patrick’s Athletic in his homeland, the highly-rated Curtis has emerged as one of the top prospects in Irish football. Despite his tender age, Curtis has already made 61 senior career appearances and has also scored three goals, winning the FAI Cup twice already and a host of individual awards.
His rise to prominence saw him make his debut for his country’s under-21s last year. The fact that he has already played that many senior games and is also pushing for a full Republic of Ireland cap shows that he must have a certain amount of maturity in his game, despite his young age. Indeed, Curtis also played in the Europa Conference League last season.
Manchester United and Chelsea were interested in signing the recently awarded PFAI Young Player of the Year, but it’s the relegation-threatened Blades’ who are close to sealing the signature of highly-rated youngster Sam Curtis after jumping to the front of the queue.
Sheffield United ramped up their interest in December and have secured the teenager’s services on a multi-year contract. If the paperwork and medical go well, the youngster can be unveiled ahead of Sunday’s top-flight game against West Ham United at Bramall Lane.
The Red Devils’ aren’t in the market for big-money additions this January, but eyeing up talents for the future will always be a focus. A raft of youngsters have left Old Trafford in recent times, and there may be real emphasis on bringing in the next pool of talent.
They look set to snap up teenager Queen’s Park goalkeeper Callan McKenna, who is in advanced talks to make the move to Manchester but seems to have missed out on Curtis.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have been on the lookout for top young talent for the future ever since the arrival of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital at the helm, and Curtis certainly falls into that category, but he won’t be arriving at Stamford Bridge either.
Curtis may be worth keeping an eye on in the future for both Chelsea and Manchester United, as he might be a good fit for either side if he continues his progression in England.
