A few Everton fans have flocked to Lewis Gibson’s recent post on Twitter, after the rumoured Ipswich Town target celebrated scoring for our Under 23s against Arsenal in the Premier League 2.
Gibson has rarely featured in the PL2 under youth boss David Unsworth this season, with the Newcastle United product starting just five of our prior 14 fixtures and last taking to the field against Liverpool on November 2.
But the in-demand 19-year-old made a goalscoring comeback at home to the Gunners on Monday night, with Gibson striking our third of the match minutes before Matthew Smith struck a late equaliser.
Gibson had not been heavily involved in the action during the first half at The Pure Stadium, but created one of our best moves of the second period with a terrific cross-field pass to Kyle John.
Not long after that and Gibson had his second goal of the PL2 season, by rising highest at the back post to meet Antony Evans’ free-kick.
Gibson took to social media after the game to share his thoughts on the result, and simply noted: “Good to be back.”
Good to be back😊 https://t.co/4M1IVxpHqa
— Lewis Gibson (@LewisGippa3) January 13, 2020
Gibson has been linked recently with a move to Ipswich Town by the East Anglian Daily Times, who noted that the teenager is a loan target for manager Paul Lambert as the Tractor Boys boss is keen to sign a specialist left-sided centre-half this month.
A deal for Gibson to move to Portman Road is dependant on the England U20 international first signing a new contract at Goodison Park, as his current terms are due to expire in the summer.
Gibson is holding out on putting pen to paper just yet as he is keen to seek assurances of his pathway into the first-team, as the 6ft defender is yet to make his first-team debut despite being signed for an initial £1million that could reach £6m.
The EADT also note interest from the Netherlands and in Germany.
Gibson has also been linked with a return to Newcastle should his contract at Goodison Park expire this summer, as the Toon hope he could be tempted into a homecoming after parting ways with former youth coach Peter Beardsley.
Will Gibson leave Goodison Park in January?
Yes
No
Gibson’s goal against the Gunners on Monday night was seen by his potential replacement in Unsworth’s U23s, as former Carlisle United prospect Jarrad Branthwaite was in the stands ahead of finalising his £1m transfer.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans flocked to Gibson’s post…
Sign da contract bossman
— Paul🌹 (@pauldraaps) January 13, 2020
I’d love to see you in the first team sometime soon mate. Time to pic.twitter.com/8kPWgvm0co
— Toffeenosed #GTTO (@GeneHunt_uk) January 13, 2020
Sign the deal mate
— DANNO (@DANNOJ1878) January 13, 2020
Get a new contact signed
— Alan Slinger (@Spizzle81) January 13, 2020
Get that contract signed pls fella
— Michael (@greenallefc) January 13, 2020
Sign here👍 pic.twitter.com/eQGL6h1Xhz
— Gary🏳️🌈👮🏻♂️📱+🍺+🚘=❌ (@gazefc) January 13, 2020
You know 😏🖋 pic.twitter.com/ZgginKvWlJ
— The Toffee Blues (@EvertonNewsFeed) January 13, 2020
In other Everton news, a Sky Sports pundit has tipped a first-team mainstay to face an uncertain future under Carlo Ancelotti.