Tottenham transfer news: Spurs strike deal for Shilow Tracey despite interest from West Ham

Tottenham have agreed a deal to sign Shilow Tracey from Ebbsfleet United, who play five levels below the Premier League.

Tracey, 17, is thought to be discussing personal terms with Spurs and is expected to sign a professional contract, even though he has played just once for Ebbsfleet’s first team. That was in a Kent Senior Cup game against Charlton last year, where he came on as an 86th-minute substitute.

Standard Sport revealed last month that Tottenham were on the verge of bringing in the attacker and they have now finalised terms with Ebbsfleet, who are eight points clear at the top of Vanarama National League South. Tottenham fought off interest from Stoke and West Ham, along with Championship clubs Charlton, Reading, Ipswich and Sheffield Wednesday.

Tracey impressed for Tottenham’s Under-18s in the IMG Cup in Florida last month, scoring against local teams Baltimore Celtic and Jacksonville Armada. He also started the final, which Spurs lost on penalties to Maccabi Haifa.

Meanwhile, Ryan Mason has suffered a setback in his recovery from an ankle injury. The midfielder returned to the bench for the 2-1 win at Watford on December 28 but was unavailable for Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Everton after complaining of soreness in the joint.