Winner named in race between Everton and Southampton for Cork City gem Joe O'Brien Whitmarsh
Everton have been beaten to the signing of Cork City gem Joe O'Brien Whitmarsh by Southampton, according to the Daily Echo (12 January).
The Southampton daily reported that the 18-year-old Irish midfielder has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal to keep him at the St Mary's Stadium until June 2027.
The Toffees were named in the report as one of the Category One clubs targeting a move for Whitmarsh, with Derby County also named as potential suitors.
A shame
With Everton's financial difficulties having been well documented and uncertainty as to whether their proposed takeover by Miami-based firm 777 Partners will be ratified, there has to be a chance in tact in the transfer market.
At the moment, the Toffees are unable to pay big fees to land reinforcements so looking for future prospects is likely to be a long-term strategy for Everton when it comes to transfers.
Whitmarsh would have been a name that fits into that category and he made his senior debut for Cork last March and scored four goals in 23 appearances, although he was unable to help the club stave off relegation.
This one clearly was not meant to be with suggestions that the teenager visited Saints' training ground in December but he is certainly the sort of age and profile Everton should be targeting for future signings. Let's see if they can unearth some gems elsewhere.