Everton have 18-year-old Arsenal youth in trial with them right now.
Everton have a tough decision to make, as they analyze a trialist who netted the winner in an under-21 game against Tottenham Hotspur.
The reserve side were 2-1 victors against the 10-man North Londoners in the Premier League 2 on the weekend.
Highly-rated striker Francis Okoronkwo was pulled off before the first minute due to a hamstring injury.
Though, that provided Omari Benjamin, a triallist from Arsenal, the opportunity to impress Everton coaches and he accomplished just that.
Everton face Omari Benjamin decision
Benjamin seems to have given himself a decent shot of striking a deal with the Merseysiders after shining in the triumph at Spurs.
He could arrive at a good moment for the club as the first-team forwards Beto and Dominic Calvert-Lewin continue to struggle in front of goal.
Of course, Benjamin would originally be bought as a future potential – but if Everton don’t fix their goalscoring difficulties, then an opening could present itself in the coming years.
The under-19 Wales international would be in the same boat as youthful striker Youssef Chermiti, who has played for the reserve squad of late with the hope of convincing Sean Dyche for a place in his starting line-up.
The 2005-born forward has a productive goal record at underage level, having struck 18 times in 30 games for Arsenal’s under-18s, as per Transfermarkt.
With that stated, it’s a little unexpected that the Gunners are willing to let him move in the summer, but that is typically the case with academy football.
Anyhow, what’s Arsenal’s loss may be Everton’s gain, as they have a significant decision on whether to offer Benjamin a contract.
Everton investing in their academy
Everton’s interest in Benjamin comes immediately after the signing of Kingsford Boakye, who was on the books of Serie A heavyweights Milan.
The 19-year-old quit the Italian club last summer and The Toffees picked up his signing in January.
Boakye made his Everton under-21 debut in the Premier League 2 last month, playing the entire 90 minutes in a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa.
In his post-match report, Royal Blue Mersey journalist Geoffrey Blunt wrote: “There were certainly little flashes of the skill that tempted Everton to sign him (Boakye) on a 2 year contract.
“The second half was a better showing from him and the team generally. He came on the end of a few clever though balls as the Blues midfield was bolstered and he appears as though he has pace and will be hard to knock off the ball.”
The Ghanaian can operate on both flanks and will be optimistic of breaking into Dyche’s squad before his contract expires in 2026.
Whether he turns out to be a successful signing for the club remains to be seen, but either way, it’s nice to see Everton investing in the academy.
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