Aston Villa are set to provide competition to the Premier League trio of Arsenal, Tottenham and Everton in the pursuit of Blackpool teenager Bright Osayi-Samuel.
Birmingham Mail have reported that Aston Villa are now showing interest in highly-rated Blackpool teenager Bright Osayi-Samuel. The winger has been on the radar of Premier League trio of Arsenal, Tottenham and Everton for a long time and it seems the Villans are now intent to compete for the prospect.
Bright Osayi-Samuel progressed rapidly through the various age levels at Blackpool and has now taken the League Two by storm since breaking into the first-team in 2015. This season, the winger has been deployed in a more forward role and his ability has shined through in his displays.
While the return of a goal and an assist in 18 League Two appearances does not boast of impressive numbers, Osayi-Samuel has wowed the on-lookers with his pace and skill on the ball. Also, the 19-year-old’s ability to play on either side of the wing is an added bonus.
His contract, though, is up for expiry at the end of the current campaign and even though Blackpool have a one-year extension option at their perusal, the club is resigned to losing the player in the summer irrespective of whether they exercise the option or not.
Blackpool boss Gary Bowyer has already cleared the path for a transfer in the near future by admitting that he cannot do anything to stop Osayi-Samuel, if he does wish to leave.
He said: “My philosophy is simple – if people are coming to watch us, then it is a sign that we are doing something right and are helping players to progress. We have some good young players here and it does not surprise me. Do I want to lose any of the players? No, but I realise we are in League Two.”
And the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham, Everton and Aston Villa are all eyeing the 19-year-old. Aston Villa are the latest club to join the Premier League trio. Steve Bruce has already snapped up Jacob Bedeau from the lower leagues from under the noses of the Premier League heavyweights.
And he is preparing to do the same once the transfer window reopens after the end of the current season. The 19-year-old will be able to get a better look-in into the first-team at Aston Villa compared to the relatively bigger teams, which Bruce would hope enables him to land another highly-rated prospect.
For now though, Osayi-Samuel would be focused on his career at Blackpool and inspiring performances from now till the end of the season could make several other clubs take note of the 19-year-old’s talent. The future sure looks Bright.
