Everton are considering a shock transfer offer for Manchester United striker Ethan Wheatley, with the Toffees wanting to sign the academy graduate on a permanent deal.
The move is intended to bolster Everton's academy, though talks are not yet at an advanced stage for the 20-year-old, who has featured for United in pre-season this summer. A potential switch to Everton comes as something of a surprise, with United so far weighing up proposals for a loan move to the Championship for the striker this season.
Familiar admirer
The interest comes with former United academy director Nick Cox now technical director at Everton, and Cox was a big admirer of Wheatley during his time at Old Trafford. In 2024, Wheatley became United's 250th academy graduate to make a first-team appearance, coming off the bench against Sheffield United in the Premier League.
Loan moves
The Stockport-born striker spent the first half of last season on loan at Northampton Town, scoring three goals in 22 League One appearances. He moved to Bradford City in January as part of a promotion push to the Championship but struggled for game time and failed to find the back of the net in 12 appearances.
Wheatley joined United's academy at the age of nine and has progressed through the ranks while playing for England at Under-17 to Under-20 level. He played 45 minutes against Wrexham in the first pre-season friendly of the summer, and was in the squad for the Under-21s' game against Altrincham on Friday night.
