Preston North End Youngster Faces Decision Amid Premier League Interest

Felipe Rodriguez-Gentile may not be a name commonly known outside of the Preston North End fanbase, but the young striker has been garnering interest from some of the top sides in English football.

According to sports website, Fichajes, the 18-year-old is expected to have approaches from Nottingham Forest, newly-promoted Ipswich Town and Tottenham Hotspur. Preston could demand a relatively high fee considering how highly the talent is rated by Paul Heckingbottom’s side.

Rodriguez-Gentile’s Preston career so far

The dual-nationality Argentinian could also be eligible to play for Brazil later in his career, if the opportunity ever arises, but he currently occupies a key spot in the Lancashire side’s youth team. Notably, PNE fans were first made aware of Felipe’s talents following a five-goal performance in their side’s 6-1 decimation of Rotherham United in the 2022/23 FA Youth Cup.

Despite not making an official first team appearance as of yet, the 18-year-old has impressed at under-18 and now under-21 level, clearly outperforming his age since December 2022. In his first developmental season at the club, Rodriguez-Gentile netted nine goals in six outings for the under-18s, according to FotMob.

What could each club offer?

Tottenham first and foremost are notorious for harnessing the talents of their youngsters, with the latest admission from their youth ranks being 17-year-old Mikey Moore. Rodriguez-Gentile would be among some of the highest-rated prospects at the North London club, with emerging players like Will Lankshear, Alfie Dorrington and Tyrese Hall hoping to soon break into Ange Postecoglu’s first team on a more permanent basis.

Forest, like Spurs, also participate in the Premier League 2, which would be a step-up in quality for the 18-year-old without immediately stunting his growth as a player. Comparatively, the Nottinghamshire side sit ninth in that table, with Tottenham just two points above 25th place.

Writer’s View

Hopefully for PNE fans, a high fee will be demanded from any of the clubs that come swopping in for Rodriguez-Gentile. The Prem sides’ spending power could lure the Argentinian away from Deepdale in January and discontent at another young talent being misused or disregarded may temporarily overshadow the work Heckingbottom has done so far this season.

It would be a great move for the 18-year-old as it offers an increase in wage as well as more of an assurance of his talent, playing in a more professional development league with the ambition of becoming a Premier League player sooner than anticipated.

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