Tottenham agree move to sign teenage forward who can play out wide or central
Tottenham Hotspur Secure Young Celtic Forward While Eyeing Major Attacking Signing Before Deadline
Tottenham Hotspur have completed a deal to bring in promising teenage forward Conall Glancy from Scottish champions Celtic, strengthening their academy ranks with a player who has already shown plenty of attacking potential at youth level.
The 16-year-old forward, who can play both centrally and on the right flank, joins Spurs as a first-year scholar and will initially feature for the club’s Under-18s. Glancy had been part of Celtic’s youth system since the age of six and leaves Glasgow after a prolific 2024/25 campaign in which he scored 15 goals for the Hoops’ Under-16 side.
Tottenham officially confirmed the signing with a statement welcoming the youngster into their development setup:
“We are delighted to announce that Conall Glancy has joined our Academy from Celtic. The 16-year-old forward arrives as a first-year scholar in the Under-18s, joining the 11 players previously announced in that age category this summer. Born in Glasgow, he was with the Hoops since the age of six and can operate off the right wing or in the central areas.”
If he continues to impress at youth level, Glancy will be eligible to sign professional terms with Spurs once he turns 17. While he represents a long-term project for the club, Tottenham fans will no doubt keep a close eye on his progress, given his reputation for versatility, sharp movement, and an eye for goal.
Tottenham’s First-Team Focus: Hunt for a Marquee Attacker
While the addition of Glancy bolsters Spurs’ academy, the club’s immediate priority remains the senior squad, with chairman Daniel Levy and new head coach Thomas Frank still actively pursuing a marquee attacking signing before Monday’s transfer deadline.
The need for reinforcements became more urgent following the serious injury to James Maddison, who is expected to spend a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Spurs had already suffered frustration in the market after seeing Eberechi Eze slip through their grasp — the Crystal Palace star opted to join rivals Arsenal, despite personal terms being agreed with Tottenham earlier in the window. Earlier in the summer, another target, Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest, also proved unattainable.
Speaking ahead of Spurs’ stunning win at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City, Frank underlined the club’s determination to add fresh attacking quality, while also making it clear that Tottenham will not beg players to join.
“In general, I don’t want any players that don’t want to come to this club and wear this fantastic badge. We don’t want them here and I’m sure the fans feel the same. We are in the market and we will look to strengthen the team. We have a good squad and good players, but we need to do everything we can to be as competitive as possible. I am confident we will sign a player before the end of the window.”
Frank’s arrival in north London has already sparked a positive start to life in the Premier League. Spurs have opened the campaign with back-to-back wins over Burnley and Manchester City, scoring five goals and, notably, keeping two clean sheets — a third of their total from the entirety of last season. Levy has backed his new head coach heavily, spending around £118m so far in the window, and the expectation is that at least one more big addition will arrive before the deadline.
Could Xavi Simons Be the Missing Piece?
Among the high-profile names linked with Spurs is Xavi Simons, the Netherlands international currently at RB Leipzig. The 22-year-old has attracted serious attention from Premier League clubs, with Chelsea previously thought to be in pole position. However, Tottenham are now believed to be exploring the possibility of hijacking that deal in what would be a dramatic late twist in the transfer saga.
Simons, who struggled for regular minutes at Paris Saint-Germain but has flourished since his move to the Bundesliga, is regarded as one of Europe’s most exciting young attacking midfielders. His versatility — capable of operating as a winger, a playmaker, or even in a deeper role — makes him an ideal fit for Frank’s fluid attacking system.
Whether Spurs can convince Simons to choose north London remains to be seen, particularly given the fierce competition for his signature. But with Levy determined to land a statement signing before the window slams shut, the Dutchman’s name is firmly on the shortlist.
Balancing Present and Future
Tottenham’s transfer activity underlines the club’s dual approach — investing heavily in first-team quality to support Frank’s immediate project, while also strengthening the academy pipeline with talents like Conall Glancy.
The next few days will prove decisive. Spurs have already shown resilience on the pitch, overcoming injuries and market setbacks to start the season in perfect form. If they can add one more elite attacking option, alongside nurturing emerging stars like Glancy, the club could set itself up for both short-term success and long-term stability.
Would you like me to expand this further by weaving in background on Tottenham’s academy strategy (like past successes with Kane, Skipp, etc.), so Glancy’s signing feels part of a bigger story?