Everton starlet Dobbin reportedly signs new long term deal at Goodison
Everton academy product Lewis Dobbin has agreed to sign a new deal at Goodison Park to quash fears of him leaving on a free, according to The Athletic.
The 19-year-old has featured exclusively off the bench so far this season but he is yet to bag his first senior goal for the Toffees.
He has been a semi-regular goal scorer for the Under-23s side but his number this year haven’t been ground-breaking with four goals in 13 games.
The Athletic’s Everton correspondent Patrick Boyland wrote: “The Athletic understands that Everton chairman Bill Kenwright led talks in recent weeks in the absence of a footballing structure.”
Needs a loan
Dobbin’s contract hasn’t been the thing most fans have been focussing on in recent weeks, with good reason, but it is a boost to have him tied down for the long haul.
The three and a half year deal should now allow the teenager to seek first-team football on loan just as his Under-23 strike partner Ellis Simms has found at Hearts.
But Simms’ temporary departure could put the brakes on any potential move in January as the club are unlikely to want to send both players out at the same time.
Particularly with Dominic Calvert-Lewin still regaining fitness and Salomon Rondon not finding the net with any regularity, Dobbin could be required as the third option for whoever is the manager.
Hopefully, for the 19-year-old, it will only be these six months that Dobbin is forced to stay at Goodison Park, not playing much, and he can spread his wings next season elsewhere.
In other Everton news, they are well placed to seal this last-ditch loan move, beating PSG in the process.