Hartlepool United will be forced to let Conner Rennison, Joe Grey and Luke Chapman leave on frees this summer with Leeds, Sunderland and Newcastle watching the situation very closely, according to TEAMtalk.
While much has been made of the challenges facing top flight clubs during an era of unprecedented financial uncertainty, spare a thought for all those fretting about their very existence in non-league.
Historic institutions like Hartlepool cannot rely on Japanese tire sponsors or the sales of big-money stars to keep them going. Their fears are rather bigger than ‘can we afford Jadon Sancho this summer?‘ for example.
The Mail reporting that 11 players have already left Victoria Park for absolutely nothing since the 2019/20 campaign was brought to a premature conclusion.
According to TEAMtalk, the north-east outfit are now set to lose some of the most talented youngsters outside the Football League too with neither Rennison, Grey or Chapman tied down to professional contracts.
Leeds are in the race to sign midfielder Rennison, who has been heavily linked with Yorkshire rivals Barnsley of late.
And there are few better destinations, on paper at least, for the teenager. In Marcelo Bielsa, the Championship table-toppers have a coach who cares not a jot about how many candles you have on your birthday cake.
Just to rub salt into the wounds, Hartlepool could be powerless to prevent Grey and Chapman making the short trip to St James’ Park or the Stadium of Light.
Newcastle and Sunderland are allegedly interested in the Victoria Park duo.
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