Everton open talks with Lewis Dobbin over new deal
Everton have opened talks with English striker Lewis Dobbin and his representatives over a new contract, according to El Bobble.
The reliable Toffees insider, followed by The Times journalist Paul Joyce and Kevin Ratcliffe on Twitter provided the information on their account on Monday evening.
They said: “Everton have opened talks with striker Lewis Dobbin and his representatives over a new contract.
“Dobbin’s current contract ends in the summer of 2022.”
The 18-year-old made his Premier League debut for the Toffees during Saturday’s 3-0 win over Norwich City, replacing Alex Iwobi in the 89th minute.
Great move
With just a year left on his deal, there is no denying that Premier League clubs are keeping tabs on his situation and hoping to lure him away on a free.
Everton lost Thierry Small to Southampton in the summer, with the left-back leaving Goodison Park because he did not see a clearer pathway to first-team football.
The Blues cannot afford to allow another talented youngster leave, and Rafa Benitez has made a clever move by handing him his competitive debut.
Dobbin will be keen to start playing first-team football regularly sooner rather than later, and Everton need to give him assurances if they want to convince him to put pen to paper on an extension.
Dobbin bagged 10 goals in six games for David Unsworth’s under-23s during pre-season, and his form caught Benitez’s attention.
He was invited to first-team training and a practice match against Accrington Stanley, and while he was not part of the squad that went on tour to the U.S.A, he featured for the senior team for the first time in the 4-0 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford during pre-season in August.
With Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin still out injured, the teenager could see more action in the coming days.
In other Everton news, Benitez has provided an injury update on Toffees ace after he went off for treatment v Norwich.
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