Championship side Wigan Athletic are lining up a raid at fellow north west side Everton for young midfielder Kieran Dowell as a potential replacement for star man Nick Powell, according to journalist Alan Nixon.
The Sun reporter claims on his personal Twitter account that the Latics, who secured promotion from League One to the second tier last season, want the 21-year-old Toffee, who was born on Merseyside and came through the youth system at Goodison Park, to fill the gap which could be left by Powell’s exit.
The attacking midfielder has been one of Wigan’s star men this season with four goals and five assists.
Good move for Everton?
Dowell has not been featuring heavily in Marco Silva’s plans this season, having not made a single Premier League appearance and just two cup outings for the first team so far.
That does not mean he has no future at Goodison Park, but at 21, he seems to have a lot of competition ahead of him, such as Tom Davies, who are going to stop him ever making the grade.
It remains to be seen whether Wigan want him permanently or on loan, but if Powell is on his way then they would likely want someone to fill that gap long term.
A loan-to-buy deal might be best for all parties involved, for while he might be a Toffee through and through his future at his homegrown club looks bleak.
This is Futbol rating: 7.5/10
Likely to happen?
If Powell goes, then Wigan are going to be hunting for a new star man and with no real game time at Everton, Dowell will be keen on moving away to prove his worth.
A Championship side with a guaranteed starting berth might be too much for resist leaving his boyhood club, and Everton are unlikely to want to stop him from picking up the action he desires.
So long as the Latics make a decent enough bid, Dowell could well be on his way.
This is Futbol rating: 8/10