Jake Batty is staying at Blackburn Rovers despite receiving interest from Premier League duo Leeds United and Newcastle United.
Both Leeds and Newcastle have been placing a keen emphasis on signing young talents.
Leeds have been doing this ever since Victor Orta’s arrival and this past summer was no different with Darko Gyabi, Sonny Perkins and Wilfried Gnonto all arriving.
Newcastle have now started to enter this market under Dan Ashworth too.
Jude Smith, Alex Murphy, Jordan Hackett and Charlie McArthur all joined in the summer with Newcastle looking to build for the future.
Jake Batty is staying at Blackburn Rovers
It now seems that Leeds and Newcastle were both in the market for another youngster but have missed out.
Lancs Live claim that both Leeds and Newcastle fancied raiding Blackburn Rovers for youngster Jake Batty.
However, Blackburn have now given Batty a first professional deal and he will be staying at Ewood Park for three years if he sees out that contract.
Rovers fended off Premier League interest in defender Ashley Phillips and have now managed to do the same with Batty.
The 17-year-old – who primarily plays as a left back – has already made his first-team debut for Rovers having played for 11 minutes against Hartlepool in the EFL Cup.
Batty is already playing Premier League 2 action as well with Blackburn clearly having high hopes for the teenager.
We know what you’re thinking – surname Batty, Blackburn, Leeds and Newcastle all in the picture… is Jake any relation to David Batty?
As far as our research goes, Jake is not related to David Batty and it’s just a strange coincidence that the three clubs David played for have been fighting for Jake’s attention.
Batty is one that has slipped through the net for Leeds and Newcastle, but you can be sure that more young talents are on their radars – and maybe they return for Batty again one day.
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