MILLWALL are closing in on a season-long loan for Tottenham’s Republic of Ireland strike starlet Troy Parrott.
Spurs boss Jose Mourinho has agreed to throw his teen hitman to the Championship Lions next term.
Milwall are closing in on a season-long loan for Tottenham’s Republic of Ireland strike starlet Troy ParrottCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The South Londoners hope to finalise the deal with the youngster today before announcing it next week.
Parrott, 18, is one of the most highly-rated prospects in Tottenham’s academy.
The Dublin-born ace won his first cap for his country – in their 3-1 win over New Zealand in November – before he made his Prem debut as a sub in Spurs’ 5-0 thrashing of Burnley a month later.
After turning 18 in February he signed a new three-and-a-half year deal with the North London club and many of their fans were hoping he would be given a crack at first-team football next season.
But Mourinho – who criticised the youngster’s attitude after taking over as boss in November – believes the rookie needs to toughen up and gain more life-experience before he is ready to play for Tottenham in the Prem.
So the Special One has rubberstamped his kid’s secondment to South Bermondsey – despite offers from a number of other clubs.
Jose Mourinho with striker Parrott who he plans to loan out
Mourinho gave the thumbs-up after learning that his star striker Harry Kane benefited from a 2012 loan stint at the Lions.
The England captain has said his spell at the Den “turned him into a man.”
Mourinho hopes it will do the same for Parrott – regarded as the hottest young forward at Tottenham since Kane.
Parrott, who has been inundated with loan offers from clubs in the Premier League, Championship and across Europe, is also keen on joining Millwall after speaking with Kane.
The promising striker and his representatives are also pleased with the way the Lions have dealt with the deal.
Millwall finished eighth in the Championship this season, narrowly missing out on the play-offs.
Lions boss Gary Rowett wanted to pair Parrott with Wigan’s Wales forward Kieffer Moore in a dream partnership next term.
Moore held talks with the Lions this week after they had a £2million bid for him accepted by the Latics.
But Millwall fear he prefers a move to Cardiff, whose manager Neil Harris tried to sign him twice while in charge of the Lions.
Preston are also interested but it appears the player now has his heart set on the Bluebirds.
Jan Vertonghen says he is ‘considering the options’ regarding transfers after leaving Spurs
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
