Preston North End are reportedly set to beat Celtic, Everton, Newcastle United and West Ham United to the signing of Connor Simpson.
According to TEAMtalk, Preston North End have fended off Premier League interest to sign Hartlepool striker Connor Simpson – a player likened to Andy Carroll.
The Lilywhites have been busy this month, having already brought in winger Billy Bodin and striker Louis Moult from Bristol Rovers and Motherwell respectively, and Alex Neil’s men are continuing their search for new signings.
Whilst Moult will join in-demand Jordan Hugill in the Preston attack, North End are now moving for a striker for the future, with a deal for Hartlepool’s Connor Simpson believed to be edging closer.
TEAMtalk report that 17-year-old forward Simpson is set to join Preston before the end of this month’s transfer window, representing something of a coup for North End.
The same report claims that Celtic, Everton, Newcastle United and West Ham United have been pursuing Simpson’s signature, with Liverpool also interested in landing him.
Instead, Simpson will seemingly be heading to Preston, with greater chance of a first-team place – although he may well start out his North End career in their youth setup.
Simpson, who turns 18 later this month, has already made seven league appearances for Hartlepool this season, and scored on his first start against Maidstone United back in September.
A giant striker likened to West Ham’s Andy Carroll, Simpson looks set for a bright future, and that will allegedly lie with Preston, rather than with the likes of Celtic, Everton, Newcastle or West Ham.
Brendan Rodgers and Sam Allardyce
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