This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
According to The Irish Sun, Crystal Palace are keen on Bohemians right-back Andy Lyons and plan to run the rule over the teenager in U23 matches ahead of the January transfer window.
What’s the word then?
Well, the 19-year-old was listed amongst those to have been re-signed for next season by the Irish side on Tuesday, although Lyons could still move away from Dalymount Park.
The Ireland U19 international lined up for Wolves in a friendly last November while on trial with the Premier League outfit, while Wimbledon also had a couple of offers rejected for the teenager earlier this year.
Lyons debuted for Bohemians against Derry City back in April 2018, and recorded 17 appearances last season.
The next Matt Doherty?
Like Lyons, another right-back who you may have heard of also spent time with Bohemians as a youngster before moving to the Premier League – Wolves star Matt Doherty.
Doherty arrived at Molineux from Bohemians for just £75k back in 2010, and has since emerged as arguably one of the best right-backs in England’s top-flight since helping Wolves to promotion in 2017.
“Doherty is accustomed to overcoming doubts. He was rejected by 15 English clubs during his teens before Mick McCarthy paid £75,000 in 2010 to bring him to Wolves from Bohemians in his native Dublin.”
In total, the 27-year-old has made 270 appearances for the Midlands-based side, contributing an impressive 60 goal involvements.
Since becoming a Premier League player, Doherty has scored five goals and recorded five assists in 51 outings, with his efforts previously seeing him linked with a move to Champions League finalists Tottenham.
If Lyons can get anywhere near what Doherty has achieved, then Palace will have made a shrewd signing.
There isn’t much to argue against the youngster doing just that. Lyons captains Bohemians’ U19 side and won the SSE Airtricity U19 Player of the Year award back in 2018.
The Football Faithful wrote a segment on Lyons back in May, stating that the teenager looks “well beyond his years” when stepping out onto the pitch.
“The Blackrock College Leaving Cert student has looked well beyond his years when he steps onto the pitch for Bohs. At only 18-years-old, he has already had a taste of football in England after a trial with Wolves at the end of last year.”
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We can only wait to see what happens when Palace have finished running the rule over this young prospect.
In other news, take a look at the 11 words that suggest Steve Parish is learning lessons from his time as a Premier League chairman…
