FOOTBALL LEAGUE clubs have been told that just because Ilkeston are streamlining their costs it doesn’t mean their hot prospects will be allowed to leave on the cheap.
The latest teenager set to move on in the next few days is defender Jordan Wheatley with Doncaster Rovers already having two bids knocked back.
Evo-Stik NPL Premier Ilkeston previously confirmed Brighton & Hove Albion are also interested and a deal with a League club could be confirmed this week.
Despite being twice knocked back, League One Donny are favourites – especially with Wheatley having worked with their assistant manager Gavin Strachan when he was the Robins manager until October.
The club also revealed 17-year-old goalkeeper Jamie Hannis spent last week on trial with Premier League Norwich City.
Chief executive Nigel Harrop says he hasn’t been impressed by Doncaster and that despite the club aiming to cut their costs next season they won’t let their highly-rated players walk away for next to nothing.
Ilkeston have a rich history of setting players on their way – and they stand to make in excess of £600,000 should their former starlet, Sheffield United’s Che Adams, seal a much talked-about Premier League move in the summer with Southampton, Manchester City and AFC Bournemouth all keen.
They have also pushed on Fleetwood duo Ashley Hunter and Akil Wright, with Derby’s Lewis Walker and Barnsley’s Rhys Dolan also starting life at the New Manor Ground.
Harrop says there is no pressure on the club to sell for less than a player is worth but he did confirm movement is expected soon.
He said: “We have a couple of clubs talking to us. The best way to describe some of it has been unreal. People’s valuations aren’t like ours. We’re not asking the earth but Jordan is a talented player.
“Doncaster came in and they’re still keen. We knocked their offers back recently – he isn’t a bad player, and we won’t stand in anyone’s way of a great career but we will have to see how things develop.
“There are no financial problems here. We let a high number of players go recently because we have confidence in the academy youngsters on our books. We are looking to save money going forward but we want to keep progressing as well.”
One of those given the chance is keeper Hannis, who has enjoyed a successful period at Carrow Road and Harrop said: “He’s come in since the change around and has played superbly. He has proved to everyone a lack of experience can’t hold you back. We have some very talented young players here.”
