Everton are close to tying down midfielder Lewis Warrington to a new contract, The Athletic's Patrick Boyland reports.

The lowdown

Warrington's deal had been due to expire at the end of the 2021/22 season, meaning he could have left as a free agent in a matter of weeks.

The Birkenhead-born starlet spent the second half of the season on loan at Tranmere Rovers in League Two.

And he's attracted interest from a number of clubs who were aware of his contract situation.

Warrington is yet to make a senior debut for Everton, but he has played 20 times for them at Under-23 level.

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The latest

Boyland understands that Warrington is about to put pen to paper on a fresh deal, and the process could be completed 'as early as next week'.

Frank Lampard will take an opportunity to run the rule over the youngster in Everton's pre-season friendlies.

They will then decide what's best for his development, with another loan at Tranmere a possibility.

The verdict

Warrington's loan at Prenton Park has to be considered a resounding success.

He earned the trust of Micky Mellon almost instantly, starting the final 17 matches of the campaign.

The manager has described him as a 'very highly rated' and 'very talented lad' and marvelled at his technical ability.

It's no surprise, then, that Rovers would be keen to take him back for 2022/23, and they'll be keenly awaiting the results of Everton's deliberations.

The Toffees may well decide that the step-up to the senior side is too great at this moment in time and sanction another temporary departure.

But will they want him to be playing at a high level than the fourth tier so that he's better prepared? That may be a concern for Mellon and co.

In other news, an injury expert drops a big claim on Yerry Mina.