Liverpool-born Joe Gelhardt is set to join Leeds United in a £1m move from crisis club Wigan Athletic.
Everton had kept tabs on the 18-year-old forward and were made aware when his asking price dropped after Wigan went into administration but decided not to take their interest any further.
Gelhardt, who is also admired by Leicester City, was likely to command a fee of £3m after breaking into the first-team at the Championship club last season.
But Wigan's troubles, which have resulted in a 12 point deduction and relegation from the second tier, mean Gelhardt is set to leave for Leeds at a fraction of the price he would have done.
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Everton are believed to like England youth international Gelhardt but the teenager would, initially at least, have to be part of the under-23 squad and though the young Blues would ideally strengthen in one or two more positions this summer, any acquisitions would have to fall into a strict budget.
The Blues have added Niels Nkounkou to the squad for next season after he left Marseille at the end of his contract. Everton have reportedly paid £240,000 in 'training fees' for the 19-year-old.
