Postecoglou in talks with player who’s pre-agreed to sign for Tottenham
Tottenham Hotspur future starlet Mason Melia is keen for the chance to emulate Harry Kane and Robbie Keane at the club, according to Clive Clarke.
Melia, 17, is the first player to be sold out of the League of Ireland for a fee in excess of €1million (£830,000) and has chosen to join Spurs in January 2026 over Manchester City from St Patrick’s.
The striker – who made his senior debut aged just 15 – is both the nephew and client of Clarke, a former Irish international who spent the bulk of his playing career at Stoke City.
Melia wants to emulate Kane and Keane
Melia will be 18 by the time he joins up with the Tottenham squad, and will likely gain considerable game time in the Under-21 setup before being hoisted into the deep end.
It remains to be seen whether Ange Postecoglou will remain in charge by this point, and in the meantime the hot prospect is aiming to score as many goals and make as much of an impression as possible in his homeland.
Clarke, speaking to The Times (9 February) who revealed how Melia met Postecoglou for a “general chit-chat” last Tuesday, has spoken of the young forward’s lofty ambitions.
“Mason wants to be the best centre-forward that he can be and follow in the steps of the Harry Kanes and Robbie Keanes of this world who have gone on and absolutely ripped it up at Tottenham,” he said.
“It was all about Mason feeling comfortable in the environment and having everything there for him to kick on and be the best version of himself. Ultimately, it is down to Mason to prove people right.”
Tottenham have impressive array of young talent
Tottenham are slowly reaping what they have sown in terms of investing in young academy products, which has been exhibited by the breakthrough of players such as Mikey Moore in North London.
There are plenty more who are currently enjoying their football out on loan, including Josh Keeley and Jamie Donley, who have both made headlines over the weekend with Leyton Orient as they ran Man City mightily close in the FA Cup fourth round (8 February).
While the first team have faltered this season, the Under-18s are three points off the top of the age group’s Premier League. The Under-21 side have not hit the heights of becoming Premier League 2 champions last year, but many of their top talents are now out on loan to further their development.
Melia is expected to become the latest next year in a long line of Spurs academy greats – none more so than Kane himself, who will no doubt be eyeing up the latest players coming through at his former club.