Everton are set to sign Chelsea academy midfielder Arthur Barratt, with a fee agreed for a permanent transfer.
The 2009-born midfielder had interest from several other Premier League clubs, but Everton see him as an important investment in their strategy to secure young talent, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Barratt is 16 and seen as a long-term project rather than a player who’ll have any immediate impact on the first team. He could end up filling the academy void left by Demi Akarakiri, who is set to move to Serie A side Cagliari.
It’s the third name to emerge in a busy week of Everton business, following the expected arrivals of Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough and Tyrique George on a permanent deal from Chelsea.
Where Hackney and George are signings built for now, Barratt is the kind of deal Everton’s recruitment team will point to in two/three years — evidence of a club trying to build a pipeline for the future rather than just patch holes for next season. It’s one to watch rather than to get too excited about in the here and now.
No fee has been confirmed publicly, and Everton are yet to comment. More to follow as the move progresses.