Blackpool F.C. have accepted a ‘massive’ offer from Premier League newcomers Cardiff City F.C. for highly-rated England Under-21 international winger Tom Ince, Sky Sports understands.
The Bluebirds’ bid is believed to be worth £8 million, according to Sky sources.
Ince, 21, joined Blackpool from Liverpool on a two-year deal in August 2011, and has since established himself as one of the best young talents in English football.
Over the past two seasons, the 21-year-old ace — who has been linked with a number of English Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Swansea City and Tottenham Hotspur in recent times — has bagged 26 goals in 88 appearances in all competitions for the Seasiders.
“Cardiff have come in massively for Thomas and the chairman has accepted their offer,” revealed Blackpool boss Paul Ince. “I’m not sure what the offer is as I’ve been away.
“It’s a case of when he comes back, we’ll sit down and see what we want to do.
“He loves it here and has told me he’s in no rush to leave the club.
“I think it’s 50/50 at the moment. It’s a tricky one for me – ideally you want your son to be playing in the Premier League, but you also want him to be playing for you.
“I wouldn’t put my hat on it that he’ll be playing in the Premier League this year.”
Now then, should he stay or should he go?
This should be an easy decision in all honestly: go.
In other news, Blackpool are planning to test the free agent market this summer by offering a number of players trials at Bloomfield Road.
ASM sign Anthony Martial
French moneybags AS Monaco FC have completed the signing of Olympique Lyonnais starlet Anthony Martial for a fee of €5 million on a three-year contract, Sky Sports reports.
Martial, 17, made his first-team debut for Lyon against Israeli Premier League champions Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona F.C. in the UEFA Europa League on 6 December 2012, replacing compatriot Yassine Benzia.
The 17-year-old striker went on to make four first-team appearances for Les Gones last season, while scoring five goals in 11 league appearances for the Olympique Lyonnais reserves.
Lyon claim to have been forced into selling Martial after failing agree a deal to sell Bafetimbi Gomis, who is reportedly attracting interest from Welsh rivals Cardiff City and League Cup winners Swansea City.
“Having not been able to complete the move of any player approached for a transfer by 30 June, notably Bafetimbi Gomis, the club considered Monaco’s offer for Anthony Martial,” read a statement on the club’s official website.
“The club completed Anthony Martial’s move for five million euros plus an important share on a future transfer.”
Nonetheless, a transfer fee of €5 million plus a significant share on a future sale is not a bad return on investment for a 17-year-old.
Good sale for Lyon. Good buy for Monaco.
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