Source: FOOTYMAD
Ipswich Town, Brighton & Hove Albion, Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest, Charlton, Southend United
Southend United's influential youngster Kane Ferdinand has impressed all season attracting interest throughout the league, but club sources say he is close to signing his first pro deal. Kane Ferdinand; hopefully close to putting pen to paper for the ShrimpersLet's hope that legendary club source close to Chris Phillip's ear at the Echo is correct and midfielder, come centre-back, come whatever damn position he wants to play, the teenager would look cool and calm if he played on the left wing, is really close to signing his first professional contract and remain a Southend United player in the near future.His first senior goal for the club came in the 3-2 win over Wycombe Wanderers Tuesday evening, as well as his first S24 man-of-the-match award, wonder what he prefered to pick up?Still only 18, Kane has been a Shrimper for five years, and has now played in the last ten matches slotting in front of the back four allowing Craig Easton and Anthony Grant to venture further forward, even trying out at centre half when Bilel Mohsni went off injured a couple of Saturday's ago in the home defeat against Chesterfield. And remember for the under-18's and reserves he's played at right-back, is their no end to the boys talents?No wonder the Under-19 irish international is getting scouts taking a look at him, Sky Sports reported that Championship Nottingham Forest and Crystal palace were sniffing around, along with League One Brighton & Hove Albion, their own local media, and Charlton, er, an S24 'source', sorry, but now the Echo has added another second teir club in Ipswich Town, who they say sent reserve team manager Chris Kiwomya to watch him against the Chairboys. Anyway, the 'club source' told www.echo-news.co.uk: "Talks are continuing with Kane and his agent but everyone is hopeful it could all be sorted quite soon, maybe even by the end of the week. Kane has done brilliantly since coming in to the first team and that's why Southend are so keen to get him signed up." At the moment Kane is currently still on a youth team contract at the club which would allow anyone to pile in after March, but hopefully his agent can be convinced to allow him to stay at Roots Hall and sign a two-and-a-half-year deal. Along with Bilel that would see the two jewels in the Shrimpers crown under contract into next season and beyond, and at least clubs having to cough up a few bob if they want either one of them badly enough.
