West Ham United ‘make offer’ for Newcastle United and Celtic transfer target compared to Lionel Messi

Newcastle United and Scottish giants Celtic have been heavily linked with a move for Northern Irish wonderkid Sean Moore - but it is West Ham United that have reportedly made the first offer for the Cliftonville winger.

Aged just 17, Moore has made a major impact with the Danske Bank Premiership club ever since he made his debut in a 5-0 win against Islandmagee in an Irish Cup tie last January. That proved to be his only appearance of the season but the youngster has impressed during the current campaign, producing a number of eye-catching displays to attract interest from several Premier League and Scottish clubs.

Speaking recently about the youngster’s future, Cliftonville manager Paddy McLaughlin joked the only way Moore would be allowed to depart the club would be if ‘some Sheikh in Dubai wants to empty his bank account’.

He told BBC Sportsround: “I can understand the interest in Sean and the attention on him, because he is a class act and one of the best young players you will see coming out of the Irish League in a long time. We are very blessed to have him. He loves his football here and he loves what he is doing here.

“He knows how important it it for his development into a top player is to stay where he is, and there will be nobody leaving this club this side of Monday. Not a chance. I will make sure that happens, and I will make sure Sean Moore is still here come February 1...not unless there is some sheikh in Dubai wanting to empty his bank account.

“But Sean won’t be leaving. His stock is rising, and rightly so. His performance here today again shows what all the fuss is about.”

However, Northern Ireland Under-17 and Under-19 manager Gerard Lyttle has revealed West Ham have made an offer for Moore of ‘around the £200,000 mark’ in an interview with Belfast Live as the race continues for a player compared to Lionel Messi by former Cliftonville star Marty Quinn.

Brighton and Hove Albion, Everton and Queens Park Rangers have also been linked with a move for the winger over the last month.