Wigan Athletic have, for some time, been rated as a club with an excellent approach to youth development. Known for being one of the smaller clubs in the Lancashire area, they often pick up players who have been let go from larger academies. This gives them the chance to give talent without the space at larger clubs in the region a chance to grow, play, develop, and even get first-team minutes. However, given the clubs subsequent League One relegation and financial issues, there has been a growing exodus of young talent moving on from the club. The latest could be Kyle Joseph, linked heavily with both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
Spurs are known to keep a close eye on the Wigan setup, having found other talents there in the past. The situation for Joseph, though, could be one that is too good to turn down. The youngster has scored five goals at the third tier level this year, and Spurs were reported to have had an offer for the young forward rejected in the winter transfer window. Other reports suggest that teams in Scotland, including Celtic and Rangers, would love to make a move for Joseph with a view to first-team games. Spurs, though, are eager to make the move for the player and get him in the door as soon as possible.
The 19-year-old, though, would find himself up against tough competition from two young strikers already making a name for themselves at Spurs. Despite struggling on-loan, Troy Parrott is seen as an exciting forward for the future. Dane Scarlett, too, is seen by the coaching staff as a player of huge potential.
Jordan, though, would have to choose wisely; do Spurs offer a pathway to the first team?
Will Tottenham sign Kyle Joseph?
At the moment, the player appears to have numerous options that also includes sticking around at the Latics and playing on a regular basis. While Spurs have shown promise in recent years for giving academy talent time to shine, with Harry Kane and Harry Winks the golden examples, is Joseph still too raw to make that next step-up?
Given the struggles of Parrott at a level higher, and how highly he is rated by Spurs staff, Joseph might find it hard to get the kind of minutes to keep on developing at Spurs. The club, though, has already done business with Wigan, completing the signing for highly-rated Alfie Devine last year, and might look to use that strong relationship to push through a deal ahead of competition that might offer a more viable pathway into the first-team.
For now, though, one thing is certain: eyes are on Kyle Joseph, both in London and elsewhere.
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