Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest are set to lose out to Bournemouth in the race to sign Finn Walsh-Smith and Dylan Holgate from Gosport Borough.
That is according to The News, who believe the duo have been on trial with the Cherries for a number of weeks now, with a decision set to be made on their futures soon.
Crystal Palace & Nottingham Forest set to miss out
Well, there are certainly some gems in Non-League football, which is where Jamie Vardy was plucked from.
Walsh-Smith and Holgate certainly fall into that category, as Fulham also take an interest in signing the Gosport Borough duo.
The latter is a striker for the Under-18 side at Gosport Borough, one who is yet to make his first-team debut, although he has been named on the bench twice with many excited about his potential.
In regards to Walsh-Smith, he is a towering 17-year-old defender who The News describe as being very comfortable on the ball. So far this season, the teenager has made 16 appearances.
The Gosport Borough duo have been training with Bournemouth as well as appearing in behind-closed-doors matches, and the Cherries are set to make a decision shortly.
Crystal Palace & Nottingham Forest may kick themselves
If Walsh-Smith and Holgate go on to fulfil their potential at Bournemouth and become Premier League regulars, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest will kick themselves for failing to sign them for peanuts.
There is value to be had in scouring Non-League for talent, and it is, at least, a positive to see the south Londoners and Nottingham Forest keeping a close eye on those doing well lower down the English footballing ladder.
Hopefully, the Premier League duo are not made to regret missing out on Walsh-Smith and Holgate to Bournemouth, if the Cherries do decide to sign the pair permanently after their next trial match.
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