Blackburn Rovers academy prospect Harvey Higgins is a target for Arsenal, according to a report from Football Insider.
Blackburn Rovers are focused on reviving their slimming play-off hopes in the short-term but plans are being made for the future too.
New boss Valerien Ismael has had a poor start to life at Ewood Park but it will be hoped the summer transfer window can help him make his mark on the side. New signings will be targeted, but there’s sure to be departures too.
New Blackburn Rovers boss Valerien Ismael
Image courtesy of: CRAIG BROUGH/REUTERS.
First-team players such as Tyhrys Dolan could be destined for pastures new, but there are academy prospects who may well head elsewhere as well. Among them is Harvey Higgins, who is drawing interest from the Premier League.
That’s according to Football Insider, who claim the Blackburn Rovers teenager is wanted by North London giants Arsenal.
The Premier League’s 2nd-placed side are said to be ‘readying’ a move for 16-year-old Higgins. Top clubs have been monitoring the young attacker but it could be the Gunners who firm up their interest with a move for his services before long.
Higgins has mainly played for Rovers youth sides closer to his age group but he has found opportunities with the U21s too.
The first-team pathway at Ewood Park
Blackburn Rovers have shown there is a clear pathway for young players to make it into their first-team from the academy in recent years.
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The biggest success story has been Adam Wharton, who has become a Crystal Palace star and England international since moving on from Ewood Park.
former blackburn rovers star adam wharton
Image courtesy of: JOHN SIBLEY/REUTERS.
When injuries hit, youngsters are often given the chance to make up the numbers in the first-team setup and having already been tested against players way above his age, Higgins could be one of the next to earn such an opportunity with the Lancashire club.
Departed starlets
While some prospects have stayed put with Rovers to make their senior breakthroughs, others have moved to top academies to find take their next strides elsewhere.
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Newcastle United snapped up Blackburn Rovers’ youngest ever first-team player Rory Finneran last year. Centre-back Ashley Phillips, who had made a decent amount of senior appearances for the club, left for Tottenham Hotspur too.
Time will tell if Higgins follows in their footsteps by leaving for a top academy at Arsenal or if he looks to follow the pathway at Rovers.
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