Tottenham internally believe they have the 'next Cole Palmer' in their ranks - ex-scout
Tottenham Hotspur youngster Luca Williams-Barnett has been compared at the club to Chelsea superstar Cole Palmer.
That is according to former senior Tottenham scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The 18-year-old has been linked with a move away from North London this week, as he reportedly grows irritated with his lack of minutes.
But Tottenham have no intention of letting Williams-Barnett go and have opened talks over a new contract, with Roberto De Zerbi full of praise for the talent.
The forward featured in pre-season and came off the bench when the Lilywhites beat Charlton in the Carabao Cup in August.
But Tottenham have struggled for goals in the Premier League this season so far, and De Zerbi's hesitancy to look to Williams-Barnett has fuelled frustration within the fanbase.
Luca Williams-Barnett will 'go on loan'
Williams-Barnett is among the most exciting young players still plying their trade at the academy level.
The midfielder has been compared to the likes of Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri, although he may be frustrated not to have had the extent of first team football the other two have had.
"He's a player very similar but younger than Mikey Moore. I can see him going out on loan somewhere," King told Football Insider.
"He took him to Australia along with Moore, who's now in Germany with Koln. I know it helps them grow up and all that.
"But for me, it just delays when they're actually going to be used as a regular first-team player. I don't think he'll go [permanently] anywhere, Williams-Barnett.
"If he's going to go anywhere, it'll be on loan. Everybody has compared him at Spurs to the boy Palmer at Chelsea. He's a good player, the kid. I think he's got a future in the game, the same as Mikey Moore."
Could Williams-Barnett be Tottenham's Cole Palmer?
Williams-Barnett does share stylistic similarities to Palmer, who is enjoying a superb start to the Premier League season.
The midfielder joined Chelsea from Man City in 2023, and has become their main man in the years since.
Palmer was handed a new contract on Saturday, extending his terms at Stamford Bridge until 2034 as the Blues look to lock him down.
Williams-Barnett has some way to go to reach the level of Palmer, but some inside Tottenham believe his ceiling could be similar.