Newcastle United and Leeds United are in the hunt to sign Hartlepool midfielder Conner Rennison, according to TeamTalk.
The news outlet claims that Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Bristol City, Barnsley, Hull and Portsmouth are also interested in signing the 16-year-old starlet, who will be available for free in the summer as he is not under contract at North-East club Hartlepool.
It is understood that Rennison has been likened to Lee Cattermole and Hartlepool’s official website says that he is an “attack-minded midfielder” who is “not one to shirk” away from his defensive duties.
OPINION
If Rennison is available for free this summer then interested clubs might as well make a move to the midfielder as there would be very little risk involved. Newcastle have not produced as many young talents as they would have undoubtedly liked to in recent years, but the emergence of Sean Longstaff could end up being the moment the floodgates open to a flurry of players developed by the Magpies. Rennison hails from Stockon-on-Tees and while he has not yet been at Newcastle, they would definitely be the ones credited with his rise if they sign him this summer and eventually develop him to the point where he’s a first team player. The signs sound good about the teenager – except for the Cattermole comparison – so it seems like he could be a good addition. Leeds might be an issue in the race for his signature though as they have produced a lot of good young talent lately.
