Everton are reportedly preparing a transfer approach for Manchester United striker Ethan Wheatley, though nothing is advanced at this stage.
The 20-year-old ended last season on loan at League One side Bradford City after spending the first half of the campaign with Northampton Town. He made 12 appearances for the Bantams in 2025/26 as he sought more senior first-team football, but failed to score and did not feature in either of their League One play-off semi-final fixtures with Bolton Wanderers.
Academy graduate and Premier League interest
Wheatley became United's 250th academy graduate to feature for the first team, making his debut in a 4-2 win over Sheffield United in April 2024. After impressing in the academy, he joined first-team training in October 2024 as Erik ten Hag prepared for a Europa League clash against Fenerbahce.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Everton are preparing a formal proposal and are expected to make an official approach shortly. However, the Liverpool Echo understands that Everton are interested but a potential deal is still some way off, with the move initially directed towards the club's academy.
Other interest and contract situation
Wheatley has also been linked with German Bundesliga side Schalke 04 and Dutch club SC Cambuur, but remains on United's books. He is under contract at Old Trafford until 2028, so interested parties would have to pay a fee for a permanent deal.
Following his recall from Northampton in January, manager Kevin Nolan said Wheatley had made lots of progress during his spell and shared his disappointment at the forward's departure. He said: "We are disappointed Ethan has been recalled but we are proud of the work we have done with him and believe he leaves us a far better player than he arrived. Because of his injury picked up at Huddersfield in December, we were planning to be without him for a period anyway, but we thank Manchester United for loaning Ethan to us and wish him well for his future career. I know he enjoyed himself here, I know his family were appreciative of how we looked after him, and I know Manchester United were pleased with how the loan went."
