Celtic FC recently joined the likes of AS Monaco and New York Red Bulls in the race to sign 18-year-old centre-forward Veron Parkes from West Ham United.
The youngster joined the Hammers youth side from Crystal Palace when was 16 and as per the latest reports, he has refused to sign a new deal at the club.
And according to Alan Hutton, Parkes belongs to the generation of youngsters who are not ready to sit around and wait for their opportunity which is why a move to Celtic in the summer cannot be ruled out.
Hutton told Football Insider: “Times have changed, players aren’t willing, even at a very young age, to sit for years and do nothing, they want to get out there and play.
“We’ve seen it with so many players, whether it be Gilmour leaving Rangers to go down to Chelsea – you would have thought is that the best move but look, he’s cracked it – or at a higher level Sancho leaving Manchester City to join Dortmund.
“The kids aren’t scared to make a big decision and this is obviously yet another one. Jeremie Frimpong did it so these guys will see people like that and think: ‘I can do that, I’m willing to do that, step out my comfort zone and play week in, week out.’
“What’s the point of just sitting at West Ham for years and you just go missing so I think it’s a great thing.”
Veron Parkes is currently considered as one of the best talents in the West Ham United academy and if he does not sign a new deal then he’ll be available as a free agent in the summer. And this is why so many big names are running after him.
While Monaco and the NY Red Bulls do remain viable options but the forward might choose and remain closer to England meaning a move to the Scottish Premiership will be a more sensible one.
