Fulham are now desperate to keep youngster Ollie O’Neill at the club amid strong interest from Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.
Fulham have already lost teenager Fabio Carvalho to Liverpool with the playmaker all set for a move to Anfield this summer.
The Cottagers would hate to lose another top young talent, especially having lost Harvey Elliott to Liverpool and Mike Biereth to Arsenal in recent times.
Yet in the case of O’Neill, he is earning admiring glances from London rivals Tottenham and West Ham ahead of the summer window.
Both clubs want to sign O’Neill and he is currently in talks with Fulham over a new deal according to The Athletic.
The two clubs also fancied signing Carvalho from Fulham but, having missed out to Liverpool, will now turn their attention to O’Neill.
Nothing has been agreed with O’Neill yet and a host of clubs want to take him on loan next season.
Yet if Tottenham or West Ham get their way, O’Neill could head out of Fulham on a permanent basis.
O’Neill, 19, is predominantly a winger who can also play centrally.
Already playing Premier League 2 games, O’Neill racked up six goals and three assists in 23 appearances this season.
O’Neill is an Ireland Under-21 international and could end up joining forces with compatriot Troy Parrott at Tottenham.
O’Neill, who admires Jack Grealish, has admitted snubbing both Tottenham and Arsenal in the past.
Tottenham already have some young talents like Dane Scarlett and Alfie Devine, with O’Neill potentially seen as the next addition to their ranks.
Fending off West Ham won’t exactly be easy, and Fulham still have plenty to offer having won promotion to the Premier League.
Yet with elite facilities and a top-tier manager in Antonio Conte, you could hardly blame O’Neill for being attracted by Tottenham.
Fulham will now be scrambling to keep hold of O’Neill just as they reel from losing Carvalho; hardly ideal for Marco Silva’s men.
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