By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

31st Oct, 2023 | 12:07pm

Sources: Everton agree Francis Okoronkwo deal after breakthrough in talks

Everton forward Francis Okoronkwo has agreed a new long-term deal with the club, sources have told Football Insider.

The 19-year-old joined the Toffees from Sunderland in a deal worth around £1million in 2021.

Okoronkwo’s current deal is due to expire next summer, but Everton have moved to tie him down to a new long-term contract.

A full agreement is now in place following a breakthrough in talks.

Okoronkwo is yet to make his full debut for Everton, though he has been part of first-team matchday squads.

The Blyth-born ace has started every match for the Toffees’ Under-21 side so far this season, notching two goals and one assist in nine total outings.

He registered 36 appearances across all competitions for the Merseysiders’ youth side in the 2022-23 campaign, racking up eight goals and six assists.

Okoronkwo primarily features as a centre-forward but can also play on the left flank of a three-pronged attack.

Lewis Dobbin, Joao Virginia and Tyler Onyango are among the Everton youth academy products to break through into the senior squad recently.

Okoronkwo is behind the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Beto, Arnaut Danjuma and Youssef Chermiti in the pecking order at Goodison Park.

Calvert-Lewin is the club’s top goalscorer for the 2023-24 campaign after overcoming his injury woes and has notched four goals in eight games.

Everton sit 15th in the Premier League games after winning three of their opening 10 games.

The Toffees are next in action against Burnley in the League Cup on Wednesday (1 November).

In other news, Everton fear star man could quit due to takeover.