Everton lost out to the financial appeal of Manchester City when John Stones made his £47.5m move to the Etihad back in the summer but they’re hoping they can pip City to the signing of another talented youngster.
According to Goal France, the Citizens and Everton have been scouting 16-year-old N’Sana Simon, who is the captain of the Lens U17 team.
Simon is yet to sign his first professional contract with the Ligue 2 club which has led to speculation about his future with the club, especially considering the clubs that are reportedly interested in his services.
Lens do have high hopes for the teenager having invited him to their winter training camp in Morocco recently with the first-team, so perhaps a promotion into the senior squad in on the horizon.
A number of established players have come through the ranks with Lens in the past. Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, Inter Milan midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia and Borussia Monchengladbach attacker Thorgan Hazard, brother of Chelsea star Eden, both started out their careers with the Ligue 2 outfit.
Simon, a talented young midfielder, will be subject to a number of professional contract offers if Lens don’t act fast and tie him down to a pro-deal.
