Jackson talk refusing to die down, with one national saying a deal has been done

According to a national newspaper this morning, Gillingham striker Simeon Jackson could, after all, be Carrow Road-bound next week.

The Canadian hitman, who struck 18 times for the relegated Gills last season, has been strongly linked with the Canaries this summer and the Daily Mirror has him inked in for a switch to Norfolk in the next few days.

A £500,000 transfer fee has been mentioned in some quarters and it is thought that Paul Lambert is on the lookout for an extra striker to add to the mix, with Chrissy Martin and Grant Holt the first choice front pairing.

But as recently as last week, new Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler denied that they had received any sort of communication from Norfolk.

“Simeon isn’t talking to Norwich,” said Hessenthaler on BBC Radio Kent.  “The chairman [Paul Scally] does all the transfer dealings with players coming in and out of the club.

“He keeps me in the loop and as far as I’m concerned, Simeon’s got a year left on his contract and I’ll see him for training on 1 July.”

The Canada international has been the Kent club’s top scorer in the past two seasons, with 21 goals in their promotion campaign from League Two in 2008/9 and 18 as they were relegated from League One last year.

And even if there hadn’t been any concrete interest last week, Hessenthaler admitted that it might not be too long until Jackson flies the nest – especially as the Gills are now plying their trade in the bottom tier of English football.

“There’s always going to be interest in a player like Simeon who scores plenty of goals,” he added.

“If we get the right offer for him something might happen but I’ve heard nothing about a move to Norwich.

“As far as I’m concerned, I will see him on July 1 for pre-season training to push on and get him fit for the campaign ahead. 

“But the speculation doesn’t surprise me because he’s quick and scores goals; there will always be interest in players like that.

“I’ve had a chat with him over the phone and he’s committed to the club but everybody has their price.  I don’t want to lose him but if its right for both parties then so be it.

“Every player’s got his price but we don’t want to lose him because we want to get promoted again next year.  However, I’m sure the chairman will keep me informed if anything does develop.”