Man Utd forward set for shock Premier League transfer 'approach' with stance clear

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Everton are reportedly preparing a transfer approach for Manchester United striker Ethan Wheatley. However, it is understood that nothing is advanced at this stage.

The 20-year-old ended last season on loan at League One side Bradford City after spending the first half of the campaign with Northampton Town . The Red Devils youngster made 12 appearances for the Bantams in 2025/26 as he sought more senior first-team football.

However, he failed to score for the West Yorkshire club and did not feature in either of their League One play-off semi-final fixtures with Bolton Wanderers . It came after Wheatley became United's 250th academy graduate to feature for the first team, making his debut in a 4-2 win over Sheffield United in April 2024.

After impressing in the academy, he was one of several young stars who joined first-team training back in October 2024 as Erik ten Hag prepared his side for their upcoming Europa League clash against Fenerbahce.

And Premier League side Everton are now reportedly interested in a deal. Journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that the Toffees are preparing a formal proposal and are expected to make an official approach to United shortly.

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Our sister paper, the Liverpool Echo, understands that Everton are interested in Wheatley, but a potential deal is still some way off. It is also understood that the move is initially directed towards the club's academy.

The young star has also been linked with German Bundesliga side Schalke 04 and Dutch club SC Cambuur, but is still on United's books as it stands.

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Wheatley is under contract at Old Trafford until 2028, therefore interested parties would have to fork out a fee to land him on a permanent basis.

Following his recall from Northampton in January last season, manager Kevin Nolan said Wheatley had made lots of progress during his spell at the club and shared his disappointment at the forward's departure.

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He said: "We are disappointed Ethan has been recalled but we are proud of the work we have done with him and believe he leaves us a far better player than he arrived.

"Because of his injury picked up at Huddersfield in December, we were planning to be without him for a period anyway, but we thank Manchester United for loaning Ethan to us and wish him well for his future career.