Paul Robinson has hinted that in-demand Stoke City teenager Mohamed Sankoh could push for a place in the Celtic first team and suggested he would likely be loaned out should he sign with Tottenham or Everton.
The 16-year-old forward has impressed for Stoke's U18s this term – bagging nine goals and nine assists.
As he is not yet 17, the Dutchman hasn't been able to sign a professional contract with the Potters and it appears there are now a number of suitors lined up to swoop for him.
Sankoh appears to have turned the heads of some big clubs, with Celtic, Tottenham, and Everton all understood to be interested in a move, which would mean paying Stoke a compensation fee.
Speaking to Football Insider, Robinson has suggested Sankoh's short-term future will likely look significantly different depending on which club he decides to join.
He explained: “It is not going to be a move with a view to going straight into the first team.
“Under Pochettino, Spurs brought in a lot of young talent and then loaned them out to other teams. I think it would be a buy with a view to loaning him back to Stoke or another team.
“You clearly have a lot of potential if Spurs, Everton, and Celtic are looking at you.
“Spurs and Everton I suspect would send him out on loan to continue to develop and then bring him into the plans. At Celtic, he would have more of a chance of breaking into the first team.
“He is clearly highly thought of in the game if those teams are looking at him.”
Stoke will likely be hoping Sankoh moves to an English club if he leaves the Bet365 Stadium this summer, as cross-border rules mean if he joins Celtic the compensation will be limited to £300,000.
Can you remember which Stoke City manager signed each of these 15 players? Have a go now!
The Verdict
Robinson makes a strong point here, the teenager may be in-demand but that is likely as a long-term project not a short-term asset.
Sankoh's performances for the U18s have been hugely impressive and he is clearly a bright prospect, given the attention that he has received from some top-flight clubs.
It is going to be very interesting to see where the Dutchman ends up should he leave the Potters and how a potential new club opts to use him.