Ian Holloway has spoken out as Swindon Town have rejected bids from Norwich City and Sheffield United for one of their youngsters.
With the transfer window open, plenty of clubs try and poach the best youth talents from across the country to build up their own academies. Both Norwich and The Blades seem to have found a worthy target in Botan Ameen, who broke through for The Robins in the latter stages of last season.
Holloway Reacts To Bid
Speaking to the media as Swindon begin their pre-season training, former Blackpool boss Ian Holloway spoke of the bids from the Championship sides for the 18-year-old. He said (Quotes via The Pink ‘Un):
“He has never caused me one day’s problem. I don’t think he ever will. Is he disappointed? Possibly. But I am disappointed in the offers that have been given because I know how good he is going to be.
“It’s not my fault that there was an extra year in the deal that I am going to hold him to, until someone pays me what I think he is good enough to do.
“I will encourage him to be as good as he wants to be and eventually he might get what he wants. Hopefully he has a chance next summer, if I can’t convince him to re-sign for us then it will go to a tribunal. But hopefully we will be a League One side and he can play his part in that.”
Ameen was previously in the Queens Park Rangers academy system but moved to Wiltshire and became an integral part of Town’s squad towards the end of last season, with 18 appearances and three goal contributions.
Writers’ View
With his emergence in League Two football, it is understandable why Championship clubs have begun to circle for Botan Ameen. Ian Holloway is a veteran of the game and knows talent when he sees them, so he is holding out for better offers from Norwich City or other sides to sell his promising talent. If Swindon continue to progress in the same way that they had under the former Millwall boss last season then his hope that he can convince Ameen to stay beyond next season.
