Midfielder Kundai Benyu reportedly could leave the Blues this summer with a number of clubs said to have been keeping tabs on him during his loan spell at Aldershot this season.
According to the Daily Mail, the 19-year-old’s displays for the Shots have attracted scouts from Tottenham, West Ham, Aston Villa and Celtic and he could move on with his contract up this summer. If that were to happen, the Blues would be due youth compensation for the academy product.
Town manager Mick McCarthy has previously said he intends to take up a one-year option on the Camden-born youngster’s contract and offer him new terms. However, we understand that there are conditions relating to the option which have been under discussion between the club and his representatives.
While there may well have been clubs eyeing him during his highly successful spell with the Shots, interest from clubs of the size of those reported, and particularly Spurs, would be a surprise.
After a difficult 2015/16 in which he admitted he had shown a poor attitude, Benyu was allowed to join Tottenham’s U19s for a NextGen tournament in Amsterdam last summer but failed to impress.
Benyu subsequently apologised to Town boss McCarthy at the start of pre-season training last July and was a regular in the U23s until joining Aldershot on loan in December.
Thank you for everything @kundaibenyu_, you've created many great memories and made many friends here.
Best wishes for a fantastic career pic.twitter.com/QtlZyOCtHS— Aldershot Town FC (@OfficialShots) May 7, 2017
Benyu helped the Shots reach the Vanarama National League play-offs by finishing fifth but they were beaten 5-2 on aggregate by Tranmere over two legs. The Blues youngster missed Saturday’s second leg with the knee injury he sustained in the first match. The central midfielder scored five goals in 22 starts and one sub appearance for the Shots.