Everton talks with Dobbin resume, but deal still far from done – report
Everton Under-23s star Lewis Dobbin is still yet to sign a new deal at Goodison Park, and according to The Athletic, the parties remain no closer to an agreement.
Toffee’s manager Rafael Benitez is currently leading the negotiations with the teenager after former Director of Football Marcel Brands left the club.
Benitez’s presence in the talks have reignited conversation between the club and Dobbin but no new deal is expected to be announced imminently.
“I think the player is quite happy and our conversations with him have been quite positive,” Benitez told reporters in a press conference last week.
“I have confidence that he will be delighted to stay with us in the future.”
In Dobbin’s Hands
The power is very quickly shifting towards the 18-year-old with the January transfer window opening on Saturday.
Once the clock ticks over to 2022, clubs from across Europe can approach Dobbin directly about signing a deal for next season.
And the major worry for the Merseyside club is the increasing interest in Dobbin from clubs in Germany.
Many English youngsters have found success in the Bundesliga that they may not have found in England with English sides opting against using academy players in favour of new signings from outside the club.
Namely, Jude Bellingham, Jadon Sancho and more recently Jamal Musiala have enjoyed life in Germany and players such as Noni Madueke has even found success in the Netherlands with PSV Eindhoven.
Dobbin is another young English talent who could venture to Europe for a fresh start, and with 16 goals to his credit in the Under-23s already, he won’t have too much of a problem attracting interest.
Benitez and Everton need these negotiations to go well to keep Dobbin at the club and not lose him for a minuscule compensation fee.
In other Everton news, a record transfer fee could bring this defender to Goodison Park.