EVERTON are close to agreeing a new deal for promising striker Conor McAleny.
The 19-year-old goalscorer is highly regarded by Blues coaches, and is looking to break into the first team squad more regularly in the forthcoming season.
McAleny joined Everton as an 11-year-old, becoming a full-time member of the club’s academy in his late teens.
The pacy 19-year-old made his first-team debut as a substitute against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in December 2011, and almost scored with a late volley.
He made his first home appearance in the next league game, coming on for Louis Saha in a 1-1 draw against Norwich City, and in March joined League One side Scunthorpe United on loan for the remainder of the season.
McAleny has made an impressive start to the summer featuring for Moyes’ side in all of his pre-season fixtures so far.
And while the Blues have allowed older reserve players like James Wallace, Adam Forshaw and Aristote Nsiala to move on, they are keen to keep hold of the Merseyside-born forward.
Meanwhile, former Everton striker Graeme Sharp believes he is making progress on his summer scouting mission in China.
