According to a recent report, Hearts and Hibs are set to battle for the signature of Preston youngster Connor Simpson (TeamTalk).
With the transfer window closing on Monday (September 2) at 5pm, Hearts and Hibs are two sides who could look to make some late moves to bolster their respective squads.
They claim a number of League One and League Two clubs have enquired about Simpson, but he could instead head north of the border.
Hibs move for Simpson is more likely than Hearts
Simpson won’t be a Hearts player come the end of the transfer window. Jambos boss Craig Levein recently confirmed he would be doing no more deals before the transfer deadline (Edinburgh Evening News).
Hibs, however, is more probable. Manager Paul Heckingbottom didn’t rule out any new signings before the end of the window recently (Edinburgh Live).
Striker is a position they need to bolster too. Oli Shaw hasn’t scored since February and Christian Doidge is taking his time to adjust to the Scottish game, leaving just Florian Kamberi up front to supply the goods.
Fellow Preston teammate Chris Maxwell is already at Hibs on loan, so the connection between the two clubs is there. Simpson is also a typical Heckingbottom signing, an EFL player in need of some first-team action.
Six of his signings this summer have arrived from the EFL (Transfermarkt). Simpson seemingly ticks a few boxes in terms of players Heckingbottom likes to target.
Whilst a Hearts move is unlikely, Simpson moving to Easter Road on loan wouldn’t be too much of a surprise all things considered.