According to The Athletic, Everton’s ‘agreed plan’ is to ‘loan’ out Lewis Gibson ‘at a higher level’ than Fleetwood Town next season after his successful stint in League One.
The 19-year-old only arrived at Highbury in January but made a big impression in a short space of time, so much so that Everton want to send him out again in 2020/21 to further his development.
Gibson joined Everton for less than £1m from Newcastle United in 2017 and has gone on to make 38 appearances for the U23s. The England U20 international is yet to make a first-team appearance for Everton, but he has made the matchday squad once.
Gibson was loaned out to Fleetwood at the end of January and went on to make nine appearances under Joey Barton. He greatly impressed and has convinced Everton to push for a loan move higher than League One next season, so Championship clubs may be on the agenda for Gibson.
The Athletic say Everton will sign another centre-back if the 19-year-old is temporarily moved on, so Carlo Ancelotti will have four defenders at his disposal by the time the summer transfer window shuts.