Everton are hopeful of signing striker Daniel Jebbison from Sheffield United, according to the Liverpool Echo. 

The lowdown

Jebbison will be familiar to Everton fans, having scored on his full Premier League debut at Goodison Park back in May. The seventh-minute strike proved to be the winning goal and dealt a significant blow to the hosts' hopes of qualifying for Europe.

He played in four consecutive games for the doomed Blades at the end of last season, with Sky Sports' Micah Richards hailing him as a 'shining light'.

The Canadian earned his first-team opportunity after scoring six goals in as many games at Under-18 level.

The latest

Sheffield United's plan was to send Jebbison out on loan, but Everton are keen on a permanent deal.

Blues boss Rafael Benitez has apparently been 'studying tapes' of Jebbison and is relishing the idea of coaching him.

The verdict

Were Everton to snap-up Jebbison, it wouldn't be a surprise if he spent much of his first season with the Under-23s and was limited to cup outings.

He'd likely be seen as a long-term investment rather than a player who can provide cover and competition for Dominic Calvert-Lewin straight off the bat.

Having also made a bid for 19-year-old Nathan Patterson, it seems Everton are building for the future in a window where their spending power is limited, a very wise strategy indeed.

In other news, Noel Whelan laments this prospective Everton departure.