Everton and Liverpool are both said to be stepping up their interest in Wigan midfielder Joe Gelhardt.
According to TeamTalk, both clubs are keen on the teenage midfielder, who has made four Championship appearances for Wigan this season.
The report claims that it is now down to the player himself to decide who he wants to sign for in the next transfer window.
READ EVERTON VERDICT
Why should he pick Everton over Liverpool?
Quite simply, opportunities. The fact of the matter is, Liverpool are a far greater side than Everton, which means that – naturally – there is a higher chance of him breaking into the team on the blue side of the city.
Gelhardt has already forced his way into the first-team at Wigan, despite being 17, which shows that he has plenty of promise. However, there is still a huge step up from the Championship to the Premier League and he will need to be managed correctly in order for him to fulfil his potential.
At Liverpool, like Bobby Duncan, he could be wasted in the under-23’s and struggle to kick on. Instead, he could find himself being given chances at Everton in the first-team, if he is able to prove that he is good enough to warrant them.
