Everton have surfaced as frontrunners to sign Hearts midfielder Harry Cochrane, according to Teamtalk.
The news outlet claims that the Toffees have entered the race for the 16-year-old wonderkid that has lit up the Scottish top flight so far this season.
It is understood that the Merseyside club are now leading the race to sign the teenage genius and they could move during January to try bring him to Goodison Park.
The Sun reported in November that Championship side Leeds were lining up a £500,000 move for the Hearts sensation.
Good move for Everton?
Everton should always be on the search for the best upcoming talents and already have their own success with a brilliant academy.
Hearts’ teenager Cochrane certainly looks destined for the top and is already a fully pledged first teamer at Tynecastle aged just 16.
His best moment to date came when he helped his side end Celtic’s 69-game unbeaten domestic run in December and he got on the scoresheet in a 4-0 win .
Cochrane proved he is a player performing well beyond his years and it would make perfect sense for the Toffees to pick him up before his price shoots up.
He may not be ready for Sam Allardyce’s first team right now and sending him back on loan to Hearts would be the best move.
This Is Futbol rating: 8/10
Likely to happen?
Cochrane has only made 10 senior appearances so far for Hearts since his breakthrough this season, but he looks destined to leave at some point and the Scottish club could be unable to prevent it.
However, he is developing well with regular first-team football and a move now at this point in his career could stall his progress.
Everton are considered favourites to land him, but for now a January deal mid-way through the season seems a long way off.
This Is Futbol rating: 4/10