Young Chelsea striker Jude Soonsup-Bell is on the brink of signing for Tottenham after spurning advances from Manchester City in news that will come as a blow to Graham Potter.
The 19-year-old striker is highly-thought of at Stamford Bridge and was expected to one day make the breakthrough into the first team. Indeed, the Blues’ academy has a number of impressive stars seen as future stars – with Soonsup-Bell top of that list.
Indeed, with Potter using the six-week Premier League break for the World Cup to run the rule over his squad, Soonsup-Bell was one of those to catch his eye. And a very definite career path into the Chelsea first team was seemingly being drawn up.
Understandably, with his deal expiring at the end of the season, Chelsea were looking to offer him a new long-term deal.
However, The Athletic’s David Ornstein reports that the Chippenham-born striker is closing on a move to Tottenham.
The 19-year-old was also offered a big deal by Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola keen to lure him north.
However, Soonsup-Bell has opted to stay in London and will undergo a medical at Spurs on Monday.
According to Ornstein’s information, Chelsea have decided to let the striker move on a free transfer.
However, Chelsea have insisted on a significant sell-on clause in their negotiations. And that will ensure they receive a vast sum of cash on Soonsup-Bell from any future sale.
And with personal terms already agreed at Tottenham, the move will likely go through later on Monday.
Tottenham see Soonsup-Bell as one for the future
With competition for places at Tottenham still tough, Spurs could even look to loan the striker out immediately.
Just as it is at Chelsea, the path into the first team looks as tough at Tottenham as it is at Chelsea.
Indeed, Spurs have Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Richalison as options to play up front. And they also recently added new loan signing Arnaut Danjuma to their ranks. Indeed, the Dutchman scored on his debut at Preston in the FA Cup on Saturday.
As such, Soonsup-Bell will immediately start out in Tottenham’s Under-21s.
However, in the medium term, Spurs could look to circulate his name over a potential loan move for next season.
They will carefully monitor his progress throughout any prospective move. And it is likely a recall clause will be put in place allowing Tottenham to terminate such a move. And with the striker seen as a potential first-team star of the future, they will want to choose that move carefully.
Soonsup-Bell will likely become Spurs’ second new signing of January after Danjuma.
However, a move for a third in Pedro Porro, appears to have a major stumbling block at the 11th hour.
