Blackpool manager Ian Holloway is targeting an unnamed Arsenal starlet after recieving permission from the Gunners to speak to him about a temporary move to the seaside club.
His side drew 1-1 in the first game of the season and followed that up by beating Crewe in the Carling Cup this week but Holloway is still looking for additions to the squad.
“I think I’ve got a very good side here but I need to add to it and make it a very good squad. I need people from another level to take us forward and help us try to climb up the division.”
One of these players from another level could well be the Arsenal youngster in question after he gained permission from Academy Director Liam Brady to try and convince him, and his agent, to choose Blackpool over his other options.
“I’ve got a massive yes from Arsenal – from Arsene Wenger and from Liam Brady – about a player. I’ve got to convince the agent that the player should come to me and not choose other teams. I can’t tell you the name of the player, but if I’ve got to go to London to meet him I’ll do it. I’ve got to provide him with a chance in the first team and make sure that lad is being looked after and is developing.
“That’s what I can do, I’ve done it before and people will realise that. Whether Blackpool have done that before I don’t know. But people have loaned me their young players and I’ve helped them – players like Scott Sinclair and Lee Martin. I have a proven track record and hopefully this agent will allow me to do it again.”
So who do we think it is then? Your guess is probably as good as mine but below I have looked at several of the possible names in the frame:
Randall has been rejected by fellow Championship side Derby County earlier this pre-season, while Nacer Barazite is almost certain for another loan deal following a loan spell last season. Meanwhile Sanchez Watt seemed to earn a lot of trust from Wenger during pre-season and was rewarded with an appearance in the Emirates Cup, but with so many forwards ahead of him a loan spell could be on the cards. Frenchman Francis Coquelin is another possibility following a highly successful first year at the club but his midfield partner Frimpong is less likely to be allowed to develop away from the club.
Henri Lansbury was set for a move to Scunthorpe but any loan deal has been put on hold after picking up an injury so it’s unlikely to be him, and although there have been rumours surrounding Jay Emmanuel-Thomas with a move to Sheffield Wednesday Holloway could swoop for the versatile teenager.
Jay Simpson is an outside bet with so many other clubs also interested after a decent loan spell in the Premier League last season.
