BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
HIBERNIAN are weighing up a swoop for former Lyon starlet Enzo Reale as Neil Lennon attempts to solve their midfield crisis.
The 25-year-old turned out as a trialist for the Hibees’ under-20 side at the Oriam National Performance Centre yesterday as Grant Murray’s side faced Ross County’s kids.
Reale is out of contract after leaving Ligue 2 side Clermont in the summer, where he made 16 appearances last term, scoring one goal.
Lennon has made no secret of his desire to bolster his options in the middle of the park with John McGinn and Fraser Fyvie both facing spells on the sidelines and have been linked with a move for Italian schemer Fausto Rossi.
With the Easter Road outfit ready to open their chequebook to ensure they finally secure promotion back to the top flight, former English Premier League regulars Leon Osman and Jermaine Pennant are also on their radar.
Speaking earlier this week, Lennon stated: “We’re a bit depleted at the minute. The bench on Friday wasn’t as strong as it has been – which is why we’re looking to bring someone in.”
Reale, who is a free agent so can be signed immediately, could fit the bill for reinforcements, with Lennon running the rule over the player this week.
Reale was among the brightest prospects in France when he emerged through the ranks at the Stade Gerland, representing the national team at every youth level between under-17 and under-20.
However, he made just one first team appearance for the club and spent the 2011/12 campaign on loan at Boulogne in Ligue 2 before joining Lorient in a €1 million switch.
After falling out of favour at Les Merlus, he enjoyed a brief stint on loan at Arles-Avignon and subsequently moved to Clermont in the summer of 2015.
In an interview with media in his homeland, Reale made his desire to try his luck away from France clear, albeit with Scotland not among his preferred destinations.
Reale told goal.fr: “I want to go abroad. I would like to go to Spain, Italy or even Germany, whether it is first or the second division. I have not played much in recent years so I have to find my highest level again.”
