Moses all set to join Newcastle next season as Gent sign his replacement from Antwerp

SUPER Eagles winger Moses Simon looks certain to join English Premiership Newcastle in the summer following a decision by his Belgian club Gent to sign a replacement from fellow Jupiler League side Antwerp.

Simon, 23, has been scouted by Newcastle United and the club want to complete his signing before the World Cup to avoid a bidding war if he excels at the tournament in the summer. Belgium top division side Gent, have now concluded plans to replace him by signing an unnamed forward from Royal Antwerp.

Earlier in the season, Simon was a target for several English Premier League sides including Brighton and Burnley but Newcastle appear to have offered him the best deal. Simon, who recently returned from injury, is expected to be part of Nigeria's 23-man squad going to the World Cup, where his dashing pace will be an asset to the Super Eagles.

A gent spokesman said: ” Simon is sure to leave Gent this summer and a replacement has been signed already. A forward from Antwerp will join them in the summer and if my memory serves me right, I think he is of Congolese descent.”

Pint-sized, the diminutive Simon is always deployed on the flanks where his pace and trickery causes problems for defenders. He last scored a goal for Nigeria during the World Cup qualifier away to Cameroon when he opened the scoring the 1-1 draw between the Super Eagles and the Indomitable Lions.