Braiden Graham, the prolific 18-year-old Everton forward, is attracting early summer interest as the club weighs up his next step beyond academy football. The teenager, who joined Everton two years ago, has been a standout performer for the Under-21s, even starting the campaign at age 17.
Senior football experience on the horizon
Graham is yet to make his senior debut for Everton, though he has been named on the first-team bench twice under manager David Moyes. Interestingly, he may earn his first international cap before his Everton bow after Michael O'Neill called him up for Northern Ireland's friendlies against Guinea and France. He remained an unused substitute in the 1-0 win over Guinea but could feature against France on Monday night.
Loan move likely
Everton's first-team staff will assess Graham's progress during pre-season, but there is a growing acceptance that he is ready for a challenge beyond academy football. Interest from Football League clubs has already been registered, and a loan move is considered the most likely next step.
Graham is already familiar with the senior setup, having joined the squad's pre-season camp in Scotland last July and regularly training with the first team last season.
Other academy talents in demand
Fellow Under-21s striker George Morgan, a Wales youth international, is also attracting interest after a successful loan spell at AS Cannes, a club also owned by the Friedkin Group. Meanwhile, 21-year-old winger Isaac Heath, who spent last season on loan at League Two Accrington Stanley, is being pursued by several League One clubs, including Sheffield Wednesday, Cambridge United, Barnsley, and Burton Albion. A permanent move for Heath is also being considered.
