Everton striker Ellis Simms is out of Hearts’ reach now confirms boss Robbie Neilson
Hearts are no longer capable of signing Everton striker Ellis Simms after pushing hard for to bring him back to Tynecastle, Robbie Neilson has confirmed.
The youngster enjoyed a strong loan spell in Edinburgh during the second half of the 2021/22 season, scoring seven goals in his time there.
The Jambos boss was keen on a return for the new campaign, but after being unsuccessful in doing that so far this summer, and signing Lawrence Shankland this week (20 July), he has told the Edinburgh Evening News that a deal for Simms is out of the club’s reach.
There remains interest in taking the 21-year-old on loan from Championship clubs in England but the Toffees are yet to decide his future.
Frank Lampard has lost top attacking option Richarlison this window, and has as yet been unable to secure a replacement of any sort.
Simms would likely be the top youngster at the club ready to step into the role if the manager is unable to sign anyone.
Homegrown hero?
Considering the difficulties Kevin Thelwell is having in bringing in players for Lampard to strengthen his squad with Simms looks like an obvious candidate to turn to for help.
He isn’t Richarlison but he went out on loan last term for a reason and arguably ticked all the boxes required by featuring regularly in senior football and, above all, scoring goals.
The Toffees boss appears to be ready to include Lewis Warrington in the first team squad despite the teenager only having experience with fourth-tier Tranmere Rovers [i News].
So Simms’ Scottish Premiership games, as well as his run to the Scottish Cup Final which included scoring the winner in the semi-final, would surely make him an even better candidate for first-team Everton action.
Clearly everyone at the club would hope to be able to still strengthen this summer, but that has proven far harder than most expected, even accounting for the financial difficulties, as deals for the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White and Maxwel Cornet drag on without success.
Anthony Gordon has developed into a star already after graduating from the Toffees academy and the circumstances may be conspiring to give Simms the chance to do the same.