Crystal Palace and Newcastle United keeping an eye on League of Ireland talent

Crystal Palace are reportedly interested in St Patrick’s Athletic defender Sam Curtis. The 17-year-old is being tipped for a bright future and is said to be attracting interest from the Premier League.

According to the Irish Examiner, the Eagles are ‘circling’ as they weigh up a future swoop for the prospect. Fellow top flight side Newcastle United have also been credited with an interest but the report says he is likely to stay put for the next campaign until he reaches the ‘age permissible under Brexit rule’ to leave.

Crystal Palace could see him as a useful long-term addition at Selhurst Park as they keep one eye on the future. However, they will have to see off competition from elsewhere if they were to lure him down to South London.

Curtis is under contract at St Pat’s until November 2023 but they will face a battle to keep hold of him before then. RTE Sport reported last October that Manchester City were ‘tracking’ his progress.

He started his career in the academy at Shamrock Rovers before switching to Richmond Park. He has since made 21 first-team appearances and is one of his club’s most prized assets amid links with a move to England.

Elsewhere, reporter Alan Nixon has poured cold water on speculation linking Crystal Palace with a move for Fenerbahce’s Bright Osayi-Samuel. The wing-back has been playing in Turkey since 2021 after leaving QPR.