Fry reveals Simpson interest

Published: 31/12/2008

Peterborough director of football Barry Fry has revealed that the club were close to signing Arsenal striker Jay Simpson on loan.

The exciting prospect starred in the Gunners' Carling Cup run this season but Fry was confident of landing him in January before he agreed a move to Premier League side West Brom - who Posh face in the FA Cup at the weekend.

Fry told the Peterborough Evening Telegraph: "We won't be getting the striker we really wanted to bring in and he will most probably be playing against us at the weekend."

He added: "Jay is a cracking young talent who Darren Ferguson identified about 18 months ago. He has had a few games for Arsenal and did well when he was at Millwall.

"Arsenal weren't prepared to loan him out until they were knocked out of the Carling Cup and we were first in the queue when that happened.

"Unfortunately for us clubs like West Brom, Derby and Norwich came on the scene and when that happened the lad understandably wasn't interested in coming here."