Ellis Simms is set to complete a loan move from Everton to English Championship club Sunderland amid interest from former side Hearts.
The former England youth international enjoyed a fine six-month loan spell in Gorgie last season after joining in January, scoring seven times with one assist. Gorgie boss Robbie Neilson is a big fan of Simms and used him plenty as they claimed European group stage football via a third place Premiership finish alongside a Scottish Cup final spot.
Blackpool - who Simms spent time on loan at in 2021 - made a big push to bring him back and had gone as far as agreeing terms with Everton for his services, according to The Gazette. But the 21-year-old has opted for Alex Neil's Black Cats and will possibly link up with Sunderland ahead of their second tier opener at home to Coventry City. Six clubs were in for the forward.
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It was not secret Hearts were keen on home to return to Gorgie and continental football either in the Europa League or Europa Conference League was an additional carrot.
Neilson has since made a statement move for Scotland international forward Lawrence Shankland and he netted twice in Saturday's 2-1 friendly over Stoke City.
Their Premiership campaign for 2022/23 gets underway this Saturday at home to Ross County.
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