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This article is part of Football FanCast's Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news...

Celtic are aiming to sign Linfield sensation Charlie Allen ahead of some of Europe's elite sides, according to Football Insider.

What's the story?

The treble treble winners are joining a whole host of clubs in showing interest in Linfield's 15-year-old attacking midfielder, with Neil Lennon's men ready to hijack Tottenham's bid for the youngster.

In trying to outbid Spurs, the Celts join the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Leicester in chasing the prodigious talent, per the report.

The youngster made his debut against Coleraine in April and has received attention since. Celtic believe they can tempt Allen to the club by showing a clear pathway from academy to first-team, something that isn't as obvious at the Premier League sides.

This becomes the second transfer battle between the Champions League finalists and Lennon's men in this window, with Tobi Oluwayemi choosing to come to Parkhead over staying in north London.

Encouraging signs

The ploy of showing a youngster the pathway from academy product to first-team player is precisely how the Bhoys lured Oluwayemi to Celtic Park successfully, according to a previous Football Insider report.

The fact that Celtic can poach youngsters from clubs like Spurs, and now compete with them in the market, is a sign of how talented young prospects view the club, and history suggests they are right to think that way.

Academy graduates Kieran Tierney, James Forrest and Callum McGregor have been fixtures in the club's recent history and it doesn't stop there for pertinent examples of the successful process. Youngsters Mikey Johnston and Karamoko Dembele are just beginning to find their feet at the club.

The myriad of academy products flooding the first-team at Parkhead is likely a key reason as to why the likes of Oluwayemi and Allen are even considering moves to the club.

The Premier League may have the glitz, glamour and life-changing amounts of money swirling around. Yet, at Celtic, the youngsters have something they may not get south of the border - a real chance of becoming a senior star.

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