Jet Connor Chapman feels tug of Heart
By JAMES GARDINER
May 8, 2014, 5 a.m.
THE shake-up at the Newcastle Jets has begun with promising defender Connor Chapman in talks to join A-League rivals the Melbourne Heart.
Chapman has a year to run on his contract in Newcastle after signing an extension in December but sources indicate that the Jets are willing to release the 19-year-old centre back.
The former Joeys captain was a favourite of previous coach Gary van Egmond but has not been sighted in the top team since round six.
Fairfax Media understands the deal would include an onsell clause in which the Jets would receive a portion, believed to be 20 per cent, of a transfer fee if he moved to a bigger club.
Negotiations began before the appointment of Phil Stubbins but the new coach is understood to have been briefed on the situation.
The Jets are rumoured to be close to signing Sydney FC defender Matt Jurman.
Jets chief executive Robbie Middleby said it was club policy not to comment on player recruitment.
Chapman’s manager,Richie Hinton, declined to comment.
The Heart released defenders Patrick Gerhardt, Sam Mitchinson, David Vrankovic and Jeremy Walker last week, leaving former Socceroo Patrick Kisnorbo and Dutchman Robbie Wielaert as the remaining central defenders.
The Jets do not have an abundance of depth at the back. Dutch international Kew Jaliens and Taylor Regan are contracted, but Josh Mitchell, who started in the final nine games, is yet to re-sign.
Highly rated youth team centre backs Nick Cowburn and Tom Whiteside have attended national team age camps in the past year.
Stubbins, meanwhile, flew to Thailand to finalise his departure from previous club Ayutthaya before travelling to the United Kingdom and is expected back in late May.
http://www.theherald.com.au/story/22...-heart/?cs=303
Originally Posted by Grimario
