GILLINGHAM'S teenage striker Luke Freeman heads to West Ham today for a trial as a trio of Premiership sides battle for his signature.

The 15-year-old has already been shown what Arsenal and Newcastle have to offer and the three sides will this week begin putting in their bids to Gills chairman Paul Scally.

Priestfield manager Mark Stimson has kept the youngster out of his first team as Freeman assesses his next move and he is delighted to have played a part in helping the player onto the big stage.

Stimson said: “When I first came here he was a sub for the youth team and the next thing he’s getting involved in the first team. It’s something really positive to come out of my short time here so far.

“He’s had a fantastic day at Newcastle, a fantastic day at Arsenal and now he’s going to West Ham to have a look around there. After that I think he’ll make a decision and the clubs will speak to the chairman and something might come of that. I think he may be moving on but only if it’s right for this football club.”

Gillingham will be expecting to make around £250,000 for the teenager’s sale and Stimson will be hoping some of that filters into his transfer budget.

The Gills boss is already gearing up for a busy January when the transfer window opens and has been promised some money for new players.

He said: “The chairman has been great and he said there will be money made available. How much of that (from Freeman’s sale) I don’t know.”

Hammers Freeman became the youngest Gills player to appear for the club when he made his debut against Barnet on November 10. He was just 15 years and 233 days and he also simultaneously became the youngest ever player to appear in the FA Cup proper. He went onto make another two brief appearances against Dagenham and Hartlepool.