Aston Villa in talks to sign Hearts teenager Ewan Simpson – report
Aston Villa are in talks to sign 15-year-old Hearts prospect Ewan Simpson in the summer, according to a report in the Daily Mail.
The young midfielder is reportedly attracting interest from a host of clubs after impressing in his side’s run to the Scottish Youth Cup final.
Compensation will have to be agreed due to his young age, but the Villain’s have apparently made it clear that they want to sign him at the end of this season.
The Mail report says: “The Scotland youth international has attracted a number of enquiries following outstanding performances for his country and Hearts U18s but Villa are making a concerted effort to entice him south of the border.
“Simpson is still only 15 but has impressed playing under coach Steven Naismith with his side reaching the Scottish FA Youth Cup final.”
Ahead of the game
Playing up by three years and still attracting this level of interest suggests the young Scot is some talent.
As the Daily Mail notes, Simpson is the latest in a flurry of young Scottish prospects being targeted by Premier League sides.
Newly-crowed SFWA Young Player of the Year Calvin Ramsey has impressed at Aberdeen and is now tipped for a move to Leeds or Liverpool (The Sun), with various other sides also interested.
Liverpool last week signed Ben Doak from Celtic, and Rangers teenager Alex Lowry is being chased by the likes of Manchester City and Newcastle (Football Insider).
It makes sense that Villa would be at the centre of this movement, having also signed Kerr Smith from Dundee United head of the season, considering manager Steven Gerrard’s history as an SPFL winner with Rangers before moving to the Midlands.
If Simpson does come to Villa Park the club will have to hope that the pressure of the expectation at such a young age does not set him back, in light of the amount of attention he is currently getting.
Contribution to the first-team would be some time away, but if successful it would seem to be a stand-out type of talent coming to the club.
In other Aston Villa news, Jacob Ramsey has signed a new five-year contract.