Stimson rues Freeman loss
09 Jan 2008 - 11:20:04
Gillingham boss Mark Stimson admits that the club are set to lose teenage prospect Luke Freeman to a Premier League club.
The 15-year-old striker, who has broken into the first-team at Priestfield this term, is on the wish-list of several top-flight clubs, with Arsenal leading the chase for his signature.
Stimson told the Kent Messenger: "The chairman is trying to negotiate a deal, but that could take a day, a week or a month, because we realise now we're going to lose him.
"I'm sad that's going to happen because he's a special talent. What we'll say to him is, if it doesn't work out, don't forget about us because we put you on the map.
"Sometimes when you do put someone in so young, in the back of your mind you want him to do well, but not too well in case other teams come in for him and that's what's happened.
"But I'm sure if we see a young player three or four divisions below us, we'll be doing the same thing. It wouldn't be right to stand in the boy's way if the deal is right for Gillingham."