Guest SpinTheBlackCircle Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11678_3006942,00.html Newcastle, Arsenal and West Ham are battling it out to prise highly-rated teenager Luke Freeman away from Gillingham. Freeman made history in November when he was plucked from the youth team by new manager Mark Stimson to make his debut in Gillingham's FA Cup defeat to Barnet aged just 15 years and 233 days old. The young striker has remained involved with Gillingham's first team since then - and although he is yet to open his scoring account, a host of clubs have been alerted to his talents. Freeman has already spent time on trial at Newcastle and Arsenal, and with West Ham also keen to have a closer look at him - Gills boss Stimson is resigned to losing the talented tyro. He told Gillingham's official website: "Luke Freeman has had a fantastic day at Newcastle United and a fantastic day at Arsenal. "He is going to West Ham United for a day to have a look around there. He will then make a decision. Sensible "Those clubs will speak to our chairman and something might come of that. I think he will be moving on but only if that is right for the football club. "If they were to take it to the end of the year, it could go to a tribunal but I think clubs are being sensible and realising how good the kids are. "There a lot of young kids moving about the country for two or three hundred grand so I think we'd be looking at that bracket for Luke plus obviously the pre-season game and the appearance fees and that stuff. "It has to be attractive for us because he is a talent. When I first arrived here, he was a sub for the youth team but seeing him play and get involved, it is something really positive to come out of my short time here." With Freeman on the verge of exiting Priestfield, Stimson is keen to bolster his ranks as he looks to steer the Gills away from relegation. However former player Dean McDonald, who left the Gills to join Inverness in the summer, will not be among those arriving in January sales - despite spending time on trial back at the club. Stimson added: "Dean McDonald was in about 10 days ago for four or five days. He wasn't in this last week. Yes, he did okay but he is not somebody I am going to take any further as I am looking at other players. "He was available to come down so I thought I'd take a look. Some of the players I am looking at, they might have played today in the Championship or League One." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
La Parka Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 Never seen him, or even heard of him. But the policy seems right for me... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dokko Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 Thought it was going to be about our injury list growning Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinmk Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 Another possibly good prospect to improve the youth team, i'd imagine he would choose Arsenal though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stozo Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/7161899.stm Newcastle, Arsenal and West Ham are keen to sign Gillingham youngster Luke Freeman, according to the League One club's manager Mark Stimson. The 15-year-old striker last month became the youngest player ever to appear in the FA Cup and recently spent time at Newcastle and Arsenal. Stimson rates him at between £200,000 and £300,000 and said: "Luke had a fantastic day at Newcastle and Arsenal. "He is going to West Ham to have a look around. He will then make a decision." But Stimson insists the player will not leave unless Gillingham receive an adequate offer. "Those clubs will speak to our chairman (Paul Scally) and something might come of that," said Stimson. "I think he will be moving on, but only if that is right for this football club. It has to be attractive for us because he is a talent." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RodrigoPalacio Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 Thought it was about the hospital at first! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unbelievable Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 Signed for Arsenal apparently. according to the Daily Mail± http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=506330&in_page_id=1779. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Venkman Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 surely he'll choose arsenal given the choice Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Nguyen Van Falk Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 Saw him twice for the kids and didn't really catch the eye, guy at work thinks he will be a star though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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