Everton have agreed to sign defender Lewis Gibson from Newcastle United, according to HITC.
The sports site claim that the cash-rich Merseysiders have won the race to sign the 16-year-old centre-back in what represents a major blow for the north-east giants.
HITC report that Everton have “moved quickly” to secure a deal for Gibson after seeing off competition for his signature from clubs including Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal.
The defender has 12 months remaining on his Magpies contract and could sign for what is likely to be a compensation fee.
It is said that the Toffees, backed by the finances of billionaire majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri, are not only carrying out an extensive recruitment drive to strengthen the first team but they are also beefing up the youth ranks.
Manager Ronald Koeman has a track record of giving opportunities to young players, with rookies Tom Davies, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Mason Holgate among those who made big impressions for the senior side last season.
This summer they have signed teenagers Nathangelo Markelo, Boris Mathis and Josh Bowler in addition to the six senior signings – Wayne Rooney, Davy Klaassen, Jordan Pickford, Michael Keane, Sandro Ramirez and Henry Onyekuru.
Gibson is likely to join David Unsworth’s successful Under-23s side, which claimed the Premier League 2 title last season.
The teenager has not played a senior match for Newcastle, but has already been capped 16 times at England Under-17 level.