Sean Moore has been linked with Celtic and Newcastle United but Northern Ireland youth coach Gerard Lyttle believes Premier League outfit West Ham made ‘an offer’ for the Cliftonville wonderkid, speaking via the Belfast Live.
Ready to feel old, Hammers fans?
Sean Moore, born in 2005, was not even a year old when Steven Gerrard lamped home that iconic volley during a thrilling FA Cup final between West Ham and Liverpool.
A relative whippersnapper he may be but Moore is already a regular in the NIFL Premiership, and has plenty of clubs from across the water keeping tabs on his development. Per the Independent and Daily Mirror, Newcastle and Celtic are just two of the clubs keen on the quick-footed teenager.
But according to Lyttle, who coaches Moore at U18 level, an ‘offer’ arrived from the London Stadium during the January transfer window.
Cliftonville wonderkid Sean Moore compared to World Cup winner Lionel Messi
“I think there was an offer from West Ham, around the £200,000 mark,” Lyttle says.
“I watched him last Saturday. It was probably one of his quieter games, yet he scored a goal and won a penalty. So, he had a real impact on the result.
“I have said it before that it is important we don’t put too much pressure on the kid. He is developing and will have inconsistent performances.
“He needs good people around him to manage him when things aren’t going great. There will be ups and downs.
“In a selfish way, I am glad he is staying (at Cliftonville). He is playing men’s football every week, and he will come into the Northern Ireland Under 19s a year young.”
Moore has two goals and two assists in 19 Premiership appearances this season. With his lovely left foot, Moore was likened to Lionel Messi by Cliftonville legend Marty Quinn (Belfast Telegraph).
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