Everton have decided to offer 20-year-old starlet Ellis Simms fresh contract terms, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.

The Lowdown: Everton gear up for 2021/22

As the Toffees look to get their ducks in a row ahead of the 2021/22 season, you could be forgiven for thinking that player imports were the only concern of the Goodison Park hierarchy.

Everton have been linked with the likes of Matheus Nunes from Sporting Lisbon in recent weeks [ToffeeWeb].

However, preserving their key crop of young talent has also seemingly become a priority for the Merseyside giants this summer, in particular, Simms, who may become a younger alternative for the now-departed Joshua King [Guardian].

The Latest: Simms has been offered a new deal at Goodison Park

The Oldham-born forward has been given the chance to sign an extension at the club, as his current contract is due to expire in the summer of 2022, meaning he would be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club next January [Liverpool Echo].

Despite this, the Finch Farm product has previously discussed a move away from Merseyside, saying in a previous interview: "Who knows what the future will bring?” [Liverpool Echo].

The Verdict: Simms should receive first-team openings next season

Undoubtedly, Everton fans will be hoping that those at the club do all they cato keep hold of their premium talent. Enjoying a sparkling 2020/21 on loan at Blackpool; he helped the Seasiders to promotion from League One, scoring 10 goals from 23 appearances [Transfermarkt].

Once labelled ‘outstanding’ by Everton Under-18’s coach Keith Southern, he is someone with a bright future in the game and it would be a blow to lose his services [Liverpool Echo].

Nevertheless, the inkling that he has been guaranteed some sort of future at the Blues through having a new deal on the table is a positive for the Everton faithful.

Should he elect to stay at Goodison Park, the Toffees should look to pre-season as an opportunity to bed him into a senior environment as he's shown whilst out on loan that he's deserving of a chance to make a name for himself at Goodison.

In other news, Lawrie Sanchez has commented on Everton coach Duncan Ferguson.