Everton have sold youngster Joe Anderson to Sunderland for an undisclosed fee.
The 21-year-old has been a part of Everton’s academy since he was 15, though has not made a first team appearance for the club.
A versatile defender capable of playing at left-back and centre-back, Anderson featured on 17 occasions for the U21’s this season, but has now made the switch to the Stadium of Light after 6 years with the Blues.
Meanwhile, another Everton academy graduate could yet make a surprise return to the North East, as Ellis Simms’ immediate future remains unresolved, with Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray suggesting that a deal would not be out of the question.
Mowbray stated, “Ellis Simms, if he comes back will be huge for this football club, because he gives us a focal point at the front end of the pitch.
“He scored some massively important goals before he was recalled to Everton. There’s a few days to go.
I’m assuming Sean (Dyche) is now in with his feet under the desk.
“Whether they make a quick decision on Ellis Simms, I don’t know.
Whether they bring another striker in and Ellis is allowed to come back, it would be pretty appropriate for our team to give us a focal point and score goals.”
Simms had joined Tony Mowbray’s side last summer, signing a 1-year loan deal at the Stadium of Light, but was recalled back to Goodison Park earlier this month with Everton’s striking options extremely limited.
The 22-year-old centre forward was enjoying an impressive run of form during his brief stay at Sunderland, scoring 7 goals in 17 games so it is of little surprise that Mowbray would be interested in seeing the young forward return to his side.
Everton meanwhile are still yet to secure a January signing so Simms’ immediate future will likely depend on who the Blues bring in before 11pm tonight.