Lincoln City beat Everton in transfer race for new signing as deal agreed

Everton have seen Lincoln City move ahead of them in the race for one of their reported transfer targets.

The Blues had been eyeing a move for Manchester United youth striker Ethan Wheatley.

A move for Wheatley was for Everton's academy at first, with potential opportunities to arise in the first-team later down the line.

The Blues were also looking for that deal to be agreed on a permanent basis this summer.

Now, the outcome of that pursuit is reaching a conclusion with Lincoln City seemingly now winning the race.

And the details of their agreement with Manchester United differ quite a lot to what Everton had proposed.

What have Lincoln City agreed to sign Ethan Wheatley?

Everton will be hoping to get multiple deals over the line before the deadline hits.

However, one player who won't be part of those incomings is 20-year-old Wheatley.

According to Sky Sports, Lincoln City have agreed a deal to take Wheatley on a season-long loan from Manchester United.

The move is simply a straight loan with no option or obligation to buy at the end of the season.

Of course, Everton did want to bring the striker to L3 on a permanent transfer, but it seems that is something the Red Devils are not looking to sanction at the moment.

For Wheatley, the move may end up being the best for his career, as he will likely get more first-team game time with Lincoln in the Championship then he would have at the Toffees.

Nonetheless, missing out on a target will still sting officials at Hill Dickinson.

Do Everton need another striker this season?

The number nine position at Everton has been a much-talked about problem ever since Romelu Lukaku departed.

The Blues have simply struggled to get a proper goalscorer into the club since then

While Wheatley was certainly not that profile, it does bring up an interesting discussion as to whether another number nine is needed for the first-team.

With no European football and just the Premier League and two cup competitions, two strikers should be more than enough for Everton this season.

And after Thierno Barry's opening day goal, hopes will be that is a sign of things to come.

However, with Beto linked with a move out of Everton, they may need to dip into the striker market after all this summer.