Swindon Town youngster Billy Bodin could make his loan switch to Torquay United in to a permanent deal after Robins boss Paolo di Canio said he would be willing to sell the youngster.
Gulls Manager Martin Ling has expressed a desire to keep the 19-year-old forward on a long-term basis.
“I’d love to keep him here longer term but there’s an awful lot of water to pass under the bridge,” Ling told BBC Radio Devon.
Di Canio seemed to pave the way for that move to happen when he admitted that he would not stand in the striker’s way if he wanted to make the move permanent.
“If he comes back and says ‘I want to stay there’ then we will discuss the price,” Di Canio told BBC Wiltshire.
Wales Under-21 international Bodin, who is the son of Swindon’s Head of Youth Paul, joined Torquay on loan from Swindon last month. He is due to return to the County Ground on 8 January.
“We’ll get good money because he’s young and a talent. Once Torquay come to us we will discuss the price and see if it can go through,” said Di Canio.
Bodin has made eight apearances for Swindon but is yet to score for them however his spell at Torquay has already seen him net twice in four starts.
“When I brought him here I thought he’d be a good signing for us, which he has proven to be. Anyone who sees him knows that he’s a talent,” Ling said.
“Maybe he’s gone under the radar a little bit at Swindon but I think we’ve put him to the fore and I imagine we’re making him a better product for himself, for Swindon and for us.”
And Di Canio has not ruled out the youngster staying put, adding;
“I hope he keeps going and scores goals because it means when he comes back I would like to have him here.”
“It’s better for him to get experience and we are happy because when he comes back he will have more games in this league and I can have a different picture on him.”
