The future of Crystal Palace's John Bostock seems certain to lie with Tottenham Hotspur, despite the south London club's protestations that the 16-year-old midfielder remains, for now, a Crystal Palace player.
Spurs announced on their website today that they had reached an agreement with Bostock, who has been the subject of interest from several of England's top clubs. "We are very pleased that John has decided to join us," said the Tottenham sporting director Damien Comolli this morning.
However, Crystal Palace swiftly issued a denial. "Contrary to reports from Tottenham Hotspur FC regarding John Bostock joining the north London club," said a statement on the Palace website, "Crystal Palace would like to announce that no agreement has been reached for the services of the 16-year-old and he is still registered with Crystal Palace Football Club."
Bostock, an England schoolboy international, broke into the Eagles first team in October last year and went on to make five appearances, three as a substitute, for Neil Warnock's side. Palace's failure in the Championship play-offs, though, means they will struggle to hang on to perhaps the most-talented of their pool of highly-rated youngsters.
"I am definitely ready to make this move and Spurs is the team I wanted to join," Bostock is quoted as saying by Tottenham. "I feel this is a club with a great future and this is where I want to be to develop my potential and improve as a player."
The two clubs seem certain to go to a tribunal over the matter. The Palace chairman Simon Jordan has insisted that his club will demand the appropriate compensation should the transfer go through.
"Spurs have been a bit hasty because there is no agreement with Tottenham and ourselves," Jordan told Sky Sports. "They can't as yet have an agreement with John Bostock, who remains a Crystal Palace player until the expiration of his contract, albeit if that is in a matter of days.
"The player is our player, we have provided his education and training for six years and we have compensatory rights. Unfortunately we are talking about pounds, shilling and pence when we should be talking about the development of a 16-year-old player, whose father has for the last six months been telling me he wants to sign for Crystal Palace. But if it is about pounds, shilling and pence, which it seems to be for father and the boy, then we have to make it about pounds shilling and pence too."
Spurs are hoping that Bostock will become their second signing of the summer, following the arrival of the Croatian midfielder Luka Modric.
While Palace are struggling to keep their squad together, the Championship newcomers Nottingham Forest have issued a signal of intent with the £2.65m signing of Robert Earnshaw from east Midlands neighbours Derby County.
The 27-year-old striker scored just two goals in 25 appearances for the Rams last season after his summer arrival from Norwich and has signed a three-year deal with Colin Calderwood's side.
Derby County have also begun rebuilding for next season, with the signings of Nathan Ellington and Jordan Stewart from Watford. Ellington joins on a one-year loan with a view to a free transfer, while Stewart was released by the Hornets.
Birmingham City have begun trimming their squad ahead of their return to the second tier. The striker Mikael Forssell has joined Hannover on a free transfer.
