Newcastle United twist emerges as Chelsea win race to sign Ishe Samuels-Smith from Everton
Newcastle United were in the race to sign Everton academy product Ishe Samuels-Smith who has agreed to join Chelsea, according to 90min.com.
The 17-year-old left-back has reportedly agreed a three-year deal with the Blues, the max length of contract that can be offered to players of his age.
Chelsea’s interest was widely reported as was that of Premier League champions Manchester City.
However, 90.min has also named Newcastle, who will play in the Champions League next season, and Tottenham as clubs who were interested in signing Samuels-Smith.
Fabrizio Romano reported that the documents between Everton and Chelsea have been signed, with a fee between £3-4million agreed.
On the one hand it is a huge shame for Everton that a prodigious talent is exiting Goodison Park.
Hot prospect
On the other, they are receiving a sizeable fee for an as yet unproven talent, and you would have to assume a decent sell-on clause and future incentives have been included.
Samuels-Smith has sat on the bench in both the EFL Cup and Premier League and under two different managers in Frank Lampard and Sean Dyche, so his talent is clearly being widely acknowledged.
He also has international recognition, having represented England up to Under-17 level and at Chelsea he will be a club with a manager in Mauricio Pochettino who is renowned for bringing on young talent.
There is still a long way to go for Samuels-Smith to fulfil his prodigious talent of course, and first-team opportunities may not be immediately forthcoming.
But a move to the Blues represents an excellent opportunity for the teenager.
In other Everton news, Dele Alli, Andre Gomes and Jean-Philippe Gbamin has been tipped for exits.