According to reports, both Premier League clubs Liverpool and Newcastle United are eyeing a move for lower league centre forward Connor Simpson. The 17-year-old striker has been likened by many as the next Andy Carroll in physical and technical attributes and are expecting him to exceed the West Ham United striker’s little achievements in England so far.
Newcastle started their comeback season in the Premier League in a poor, unfortunate and predicted manner last Sunday as they got outplayed by Tottenham Hotspur in their backyard. While Spurs’ terrific form of late had surely put them as favourites on the board, Rafael Benitez saw little resistance from his players in the second half.
And it was further marred by the triple absentees that Benitez will see in their second fixture against Huddersfield Town. It all started with the injury to left back Paul Dummett as early as in the seventh minute as Jamaal Lascelles took his position. New signing and probably their best one Florian Lejeune saw himself hobbling off in the 38th minute and Chancel Mbemba replaced him. And if this wasn’t enough, Benitez saw his most experienced midfielder Jonjo Shelvey get red-carded in the 48th minute.
The Magpies are expected to do a great many things this season with Rafael Benitez at the helm and a quality squad at his disposal. Following last season’s title winning feat where the Mags had pretty much dominated the league in every aspect, it has seen some upgrade, although minor, here and there.
Benitez’s attacking concern, however, remains a pretty well-known fact with the club desperately digging down every possible option to thicken their bench up front and young Connor Simpson could be a good fit. Given that the Hartlepool striker has caught the attention of the likes of Liverpool, surely means he is an exceptional talent.
Reportedly, the player is yet to pen a professional deal with Hartlepool, who are in the National League and any approach is likely to accepted by the player with open arms with the club incurring all the loss. He is being closely monitored with reports claiming that Klopp is keen on securing his services before anyone else.
However, Liverpool already have plenty of talents at their disposal and the club is shuffling them off to loan stints at Championship clubs and another player will only clog their options up front. Simpson is also pretty much aware of it and a move to Newcastle United could just be on his cards.
The player has already made two first-team games for Hartlepool’s first-team, and with little backup options for Benitez up front, could see himself breaking into the first team in no time.
