Leyton Orient youngster Tristan Abrahams is poised to complete his anticipated move to Norwich City in the next 24 hours.
The 18-year-old striker had been linked last week and it is understood the Canaries are close to concluding the deal, with Abrahams heading back to Orient on loan in a deal which will allow him to feature for City’s under-23s as well.
Abrahams scored two goals in nine games during the closing stages of last season, as the O’s slipped to relegation from League Two and ended a 112-year stretch in the Football League for the east London club.
It’s understood Orient were looking for a deal which could eventually be worth around £250,000 if performance related add-ons are triggered.
Abrahams would be an addition to the Canaries’ under-23 squad, which is currently short of strikers with Carlton Morris joining Shrewsbury on a season-long loan and Benny Ashley-Seal looking likely to turn down the professional deal offered to him and being linked with Premier League sides Chelsea and Leicester City.
Former Club Brugge forward Pierre Fonkeu has reportedly agreed a deal with City though, after a successful development trial during pre-season.
London-born Abrahams signed a two-year professional deal in November 2016 after impressing for Orient’s under-18s, helping to reach the third round of the FA Youth Cup last season, having been with the club since the age of 14.
A brief spell with Southern Premier Division side Cambridge City followed, making four appearances, before making his League Two debut for Orient in a 4-0 win at Newport County in March.
Omer Riza succeeded Daniel Webb at the end of March and continued to involve the striker as a chaotic season off the pitch ended in relegation after finishing bottom of the Football League.
Former Crewe Alexandra manager Steve Davis has since taken over and is finalising his squad for the National League, bringing Abrahams on in the 61st minute of a 2-1 friendly win over Greenwich Borough on Saturday.
The O’s boss was asked about reported interest from Brighton and Crystal Palace after the game but the Evening Standard have since reported Abrahams is heading for Norwich.
“There is some speculation at the moment regarding Tristan, but I have had no contact with anyone,” Davis told the East London Advertiser.
“If you have got young players people are going to look at them and there is probably four or five in that category anyway that people will speculate about or come and watch.
“Tristan has been the centre of attention recently and he has a lot of ability, but for me he is not quite ready to move on yet. He needs longer here and to learn the game a little bit more and I am sure I can help him do that.
“He also needs to grow because he is an 18-year-old with huge promise and potential, but if a player has his head turned it can be to their detriment, although to be fair to him he didn’t show any signs of that against Greenwich.
“I thought he showed a good attitude and worked hard and is a level-headed boy like they all are, so I don’t see any problems going forward.
“As I say, when you have good players people are going to watch them so it is how I manage that with them and how they manage it going forward.”
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