Ellis Simms is set to have a medical at Hearts as Everton look to send the young striker on a half-season loan transfer to the Scottish Premiership side, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The forward has struggled to break into the Toffees first-team since returning to Goodison Park last summer. Simms spent the latter half of the 2020/21 term on loan with Blackpool, helping the Seasiders to reach the League One play-off final before beating Lincoln City.
He scored 10 goals and provided two assists in his outings for the Bloomfield Road outfit. But Simms missed the Wembley win over the Imps after suffering a groin injury in training.
Simms’ injury kept him from Rafa Benitez’s Everton plans until September, but the 21-year-old only featured once under the Spaniard. He made his sole outing in the Toffees’ surprise 1-1 draw at Chelsea after injuries tore through the Merseysiders’ ranks.
The Stamford Bridge affair marked one of just eight occasions over Benitez’s 22 games that Simms featured in Everton’s squad. The Blues now want to send the Oldham-born attacker – who David Unsworth considers ‘outstanding’ – out on loan until the summer.
Simms set for Hearts medical ahead of last-ditch Everton loan exit
Blackpool had considered targeting another loan deal for Simms if Everton were to grant a temporary transfer this month. CEO Ben Mansford told The Gazette in October he was keeping tabs on his situation to support their Championship efforts.
However, Simms is closing in on a loan transfer to Hearts with the Everton product heading for a medical. Robbie Neilson’s Tynecastle natives host Celtic on Wednesday night with the chance to close their deficit to second-place to six-points.
Liam Boyce is Hearts’ current top-scorer with seven goals in 15 appearances in the Scottish top-flight so far this season. Stephen Kingsley (4), plus Ben Woodburn, John Souttar and Josh Ginnelly (3) have also found the net more than twice.
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