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Wolves are one of three clubs tracking Leyton Orient defender Dan Happe, according to The Sun.
Is making a move for a non-league player worth the gamble though?
What’s the word?
The Midlands club are reportedly keeping a close eye on Happe, who is also attracting interest from Norwich and another Premier League club in Brighton.
The central defender has looked a rock at the back for the O’s this season, turning in some stand out performances with the London outfit leading the charge at the top of the National League.
Steve Davis, who is currently employed by Wolves, has worked with the 20-year-old before and he could be key in any deal that might progress over the summer.
The Sun claim that Happe has just 12 months remaining on his current deal with Orient and could be available for a price as low as £200,000. It’s a potential deal that would barely eat into Wolves’ funds.
Following a trend
Happe would have to make a considerable step up considering he’s currently playing non-league football but at such a cut-price deal it would be an investment worth making, especially considering he’s still exceptionally young.
England’s top flight and the lower league’s of football have a certain connection and Wolves will be hoping that if they do make a move for him, he can follow in the footsteps of Chris Smalling.
The England defender started out at Maidstone United before joining Fulham in 2008. He made the transition almost seamlessly into top-level football and Happe could well do the same. A key aspect of his game is his ball playing nature, an attribute which wouldn’t be out of place in a higher division.
There are plenty of examples of previous non-league players succeeding in the Premier League. Jamie Vardy’s story has been well documented, as has Callum Wilson’s, whilst legends Les Ferdinand and Ian Wright also started their careers in the depths of English football.
More recent examples include Sam Clucas, who played for Hereford, and Michail Antonio, once of Tooting and Mitcham.
Happe, therefore, may well be worth taking a gamble on.