Ipswich Town’s teenage midfielder Kundai Benyu is reportedly at the centre of a tug-of-war between Tottenham Hotspur, Celtic and Aston Villa.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino
Kundai Benyu may have been forced to drop down to the National League to earn some much-needed game time but the Ipswich Town prodigy will return from his loan spell at Aldershot Town with his reputation very much enhanced.
And, according to the Daily Mail, there could be an almighty scramble for his signature come the summer, with Celtic, Aston Villa and particularly Tottenham Hotspur all circling.
The 19-year-old midfielder scored five goals this season to help Aldershot into the National League play-offs but it appears certain that he will be plying his trade at a much higher level next season.
The Daily Mail claim that Benyu is out of contract at the end of the season and, after a fall-out with Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy in December which resulted in him being farmed out on loan, it appears certain that he will leave Portman Road in the summer.
Where next?
Tottenham have admired Benyu, who can alter between box-to-box and playmaking roles, for a number of months and even invited him to take part in their NextGen series in Amsterdam last summer.
And with manager Mauricio Pochettino renowned for improving young players, turning the likes of Harry Kane, Danny Rose, Kyle Walker, Eric Dier and Dele Alli (below) in first-choice England internationals, you could see why Spurs would appeal to Benyu.
Though Villa and Celtic could also be enticing destinations. Villa boss Steve Bruce is building for the future in the Championship by paying close interest to the club’s young talents.
And Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers (below) is also renowned for giving youth a chance. He even gave 18-year-old duo Anthony Ralston and Michael Johnstone their first-team debuts at the weekend. Furthermore, Benyu is likely to find opportunities easier to come by in the Scottish Premiership while the step up should not prove too daunting for a player of his quality.
Therefore, Benyu is almost spoiled for choice – but perhaps Celtic would be the most sensible destination.
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