Reliable Norwich City journalist David Freezer writing for the Pink Un suggests that Rangers are in the mix along with plenty of other clubs to sign Linfield youngster Charlie Allen. The 15-year-old is a Northern Ireland youth international and has been linked with the likes of Celtic, Aberdeen from Scotland and with Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham, Norwich City and Leicester City from the south of the border.
The attacking midfielder must have something special in his locker with some of the heavyweights of football looking to get him. At just 15, he featured in Linfield’s 25-man squad for their Champions League qualification tie against Rosenborg but wasn’t involved in the matchday lineup. However, being selected to play at the highest level at his age suggests that Allen is a generational talent.
His manager David Healy though is aware that the youngster wouldn’t stick around with the Northern Irish side for long given his attacking prowess. He had said, “He’s still young, developing and has a lot to learn, but I know, in time, Charlie won’t see his 17th or 18th birthday at Linfield. He will be elsewhere. Our plan is to guide him the best way for the next 12 months when he is here.”
Why might Rangers have an edge in signing him
Rangers have already brought him on trial earlier, and he played for their U-17 side. Allen, while representing Rangers at the U-17 level, helped them to win the Alkass International Cup in Qatar in February. His future is uncertain right now, but he has already had prior experience of playing at the Ibrox and maybe that might give the Glaswegian giants an edge over their other rivals.
Allen should be on the lookout for first-team football opportunities, and he would be better off moving to a mid-sized club instead of going for the likes of heavyweights like Liverpool, Manchester City or Tottenham where he will have to struggle for years to get a first-team opportunity.
Even at Rangers, he might have to wait for his chance, but he could be granted an opportunity in the first team soon if he can impress for the youth side. Allen is known to be a smart finisher in and around the box, and he can play as a striker as well.
The Linfield forward also works hard on the pitch and is known to be a real live wire in and around the box. It remains to be seen which club the youngster ends up choosing when he turns 16. There is still a long way to go before he can showcase his true potential, but the early indications are there that he is a star in the making.
