Any attempt by Arsenal or Celtic to sign a teenage Middlesbrough striker could be met with greater resistance now.
Both Arsenal (The Sun) and Celtic (Herald) were linked with moves for Calum Kavanagh, son of the former Middlesbrough and Republic of Ireland midfielder, Graham, earlier this year.
But Kavanagh, an Ireland youth international himself, soon signed scholarship forms with Boro.
And the Teesside club have now taken the additional step of tying the 17-year-old to his first professional contract.
Kavanagh’s new deal is due to run until 2023, leaving Middlesbrough in a strong position to negotiate should offers arrive from Arsenal – who recently lost a teenage striker of their own, Sam Greenwood, to Leeds United – Celtic or the like, arrive in the near future.
Whether or Arsenal or Celtic did make attempts to sign Kavanagh prior to this week’s news remains to be seen.
And, if they didn’t, then they appear to have missed their chance for the time being.
Let’s hope, from their point of view, that Kavanagh, who is said to be impressing in Middlesbrough’s youth ranks, doesn’t make them regret it.
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