Multiple reports have begun to emerge that suggest Everton are interested in signing Wigan Athletic starlet Joe Gelhardt this summer.
Everton appear to be continuing their trend of targeting promising young talent from clubs in the lower leagues of English football, with reports suggesting they have set their sights on a summer move for striker Joe Gelhardt.
The 17-year-old Liverpool native has been impressing for the Latics in the Championship this season, making 12 appearances while scoring his first professional league goal during a 2-2 draw against Hull City earlier in the season.
Since making his professional debut last season, Gelhardt has made 13 Championship appearances and a further two in cup competitions, while scoring three goals in six appearances for the England Under-18s national team.
Reports from a number of mainstream media outlets across the United Kingdom have suggested that Gelhardt is drawing comparisons to former Everton wonderkid Wayne Rooney, with a number of Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United all interested in him.
Blues director of football Marcel Brands appears to be the most eager to land the teenager’s signature this summer, making him the latest in a long line of young signings the team has made over the past few seasons.
As recently as the January transfer window, the Blues signed 17-year-old centre back Jarrad Branthwaite, following on from the summer signing of 19-year-old Moise Kean.
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Looking further back at some of the Toffees’ recent youth signings, defender Matty Foulds was brought in as a 17-year-old back in January 2016 while goalkeeper João Virgínia was signed as an 18-year-old from Arsenal just over 18 months ago, going on to win the Under-21s Premier League under the guidance of David Unsworth last season before a brief loan spell at Reading this campaign.
If Gelhardt is showing a lot of promise while already earning some minutes in the Championship, a summer move for him makes sense for the Toffees and watching his development in the Under-23s will be something fans will do keenly if the comparisons to Rooney are even half true.
What do you think Everton fans? Are you optimistic about the team’s approach to signing promising young players? Who in the Under-23s are already impressing you? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!