CHELSEA are reportedly plotting a double transfer swoop for Grimsby Town youngsters Louis Boyd and Ben Grist – but face competition from Liverpool.
The two Premier League clubs have had their interests piqued by the talented pair as they appear in League Two for Ian Holloway’s team.
Louis Boyd comes off the bench for his debut in the EFL Cup against Harrogate, where he became Grimsby’s youngest goal scorer and appearance makerCredit: Twitter@EFL_Trophy
Boyd became the club’s youngest-ever debutant and goalscorer when he came off the bench against Harrogate Town in the EFL Trophy last month.
He was only 15 years and 324 days old when he found the net in that match.
The teenager then got his league debut when he came off the bench in the final 20 minutes against Walsall four days after his cup heroics.
Fellow midfielder Grist, also 15, was left on the bench for the Harrogate game, which Grimsby drew 2-2 but then won 7-6 on penalties.
The Athletic report that Chelsea, Liverpool and other Premier League teams are monitoring the pair – who are also working towards their GCSEs.
It is believed the financial pressures inflicted by the Covid-19 pandemic could force Grimsby to sell two of their prized academy assets.
The club estimates their losses this season will come to £700,000.
The Mariners, bottom of the EFL, have only managed to play three league games this season following a positive coronavirus test within the squad which forced their training ground to be shut down.
League Two fixtures versus Cheltenham Town and Bradford City, and an EFL Trophy fixture at Hull City, all had to be postponed.
They returned to action on the weekend, drawing 0-0 at Bolton.
The domestic window closes on Thursday, meaning that any interested Premier League club must buy Boyd and Grist by then – or will have to wait until next year.
If the pair were to move to Chelsea, it is likely they will join the club’s many players out on loan.
Premier League matches will cost £14.95 on PPV Box Office channels with Man Utd and Chelsea games among first clashes
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
