Everton have been linked with a move for Juventus defender Federico Gatti ahead of the January transfer window.
In terms of outgongs, Mason Holgate is being totuted as a target for several clubs, amid reports that his loan at Southampton could be cut short. Elsewhere, Michael Keane is an injury doubt to face Burnley, with Brnathwaite suspended for the weekend's clash at Turf Moor.
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Key Events
U18s report
If you missed out on Everton's FA Youth Cup tie earlier this evening, ECHO reporter Connor O'Neill has got you covered.
Read on for Connor's report from Goodison Park after the Blues secured a comfortable win...
A double from Martin Sherif helped Everton under-18s book their place in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup.
Leighton Baines’ side overcame Stockport County 4-1 at Goodison Park in an end-to-end encounter that will live long in the memory of Sherif for all the right and wrong reasons. This was also a night in which the young Blues far from had things go their own way despite the one-sided full-time score.
Despite plying their trade in the EFL Youth Alliance North West Division, it was the visitors who started the brighter of the two sides and twice went close to opening the scoring inside the opening 10 minutes. First, George Pickford denied Lee Williams after Odin Samuels-Smith underhit a backpass before Joshua van Schoor blocked an effort from Kylan Depeiaza.
To their credit, the young Blues grew into the game, and after George Morgan and Harrison Armstrong both tested Kane Mavrantziotis in the County goal, Sherif opened the scoring when he side-footed Callum Bates’ corner home from close range.
For the full story, click here.

FT: Everton 4-1 Stockport
A double from Martin Sherif and further strikes from Mathew Apter and George Morgan secure Leighton Baines' side a place in round four of the FA Youth Cup, where they will face Chelsea at home.
GOAL! Everton 4-1 Stockport
It's four! George Morgan with the finish after some neat build-up play.
GOAL! Everton 3-1 Stockport
Goal! Substitute Matthew Apter with a fine finish to put Leighton Baines' side in total control.
GOAL! Everton 2-1 Stockport
Everton under-18s retake the lead! Martin Sherif grabs his second of the game to make it 2-1 to Leighton Baines' side. Just over an hour played.
HT: Everton 1-1 Stockport
All square at Goodison Park after Kylan Depeiaza cancelled out Martin Sherif's opener in first-half stoppage time.
GOAL! Everton 1-0 Stockport
Everton open the scoring! Kane Mavrantziotis-Bove can't collect Callum Bates' corner and Martin Sherif is on hand to side-foot the ball home. 1-0 to Leighton Baines's side.
Everton XI
Here is the Everton starting-eleven for tonight's FA Youth Cup tie.
Tonight’s team sheet #EFCU18 #FAYouthCup pic.twitter.com/BWRDW5bETP
— Connor O'Neill (@ConnorOn95) December 12, 2023
FA Youth Cup action
Everton under-18s tonight take on Stockport County under-18s at Goodison Park in the FA Youth Cup.
ECHO reporter Connor O'Neill will be in attendance to provide updates, so stay tuned for the latest. Kick-off is at 7pm.
777 Partners stance on Everton administration report
Prospective Everton owners 777 Partners have committed to fund working capital through to at least the end of January as they await a final decision on whether they have been given the green light for a takeover from the Premier League, Football Association and the Financial Conduct Authority.
A decision on whether they had passed the necessary tests to acquire the club was expected before Christmas initially, although reports to emerge in the Daily Mail on Tuesday claimed that a decision would not be made until the New Year, throwing the club into potential financial chaos.
777 Partners have been providing working capital at Everton since October, with Moshiri now no longer committed to putting any more funding into the football club.
Read Dave Powell's full story HERE

Premier League vote on transfer amortisation
Premier League clubs have agreed to amend the rules around transfer amortisation.
It has been a topic for debate in recent transfer windows, with Chelsea's notable signings of Enzo Fernandez and Mykhaylo Mudryk on long-term deals among the most commonly cited examples. In basic terms, a £70m player signed on a seven-year deal could previously be taken as £10m-per-year on club accounts through amortisation.
The rule change has brouight the Premier League in line with UEFA's guidelines. Amortisation will now be applied over a maximum five-year period, though player contracts can still be longer. This will not be backdated.
According to The Athletic's David Ornstein, the vote was passed with 15 clubs in favour, including Chelsea, with two teams voting against, and three abstaining.

Everton 'at risk' as 777 Partners takeover claim made
A report from the Daily Mail has claimed that Everton could become 'at risk of administration' as 777 Partners await approval of their prospective takeover.
The US private investment company agreed a deal with Farhad Moshiri in September to purchase the Blues, subject to apporval. 777 Partners have since provided loans to help with Everton's operating costs but the Daily Mail claims that the Premier League do not expect to reach a decision on their takeover bid before the end of the year. The report suggests that this delay could lead 777 Partners to withdraw their current levels of funding.
The ECHO reached out to 777, who claim that there has been no such communication from the Premier League.

James Tarkowski eyes Everton silverware
Everton defender James Tarkowski is relishing the prospect of games coming in quick succession.
The Blus head to Burnley on Saturday as the team look to extend their winning run to four games. Following the game at Turf Moor, Everton will host Fulham in their Carabao Cup quarter-final tie next Tuesday, and Tarkowski has admitted that he is eager to continue the club's cup run.
‘If you look at it, some of the big teams have been knocked out, and what a chance for us to go and get some silverware," he told talkSPORT. "I’m desperate to win something in my career, and this is probably the best chance I’ve had so far. It would be some sight [to see Everton fans at Wembley] hopefully we can look forward to that one."

Everton could make three changes at Burnley
Sean Dyche will have to make two enforced changes at Burnley but Everton could further shuffle the pack against Burnley.
Idrissa Gueye and Jarrad Branthwaite serve one-match suspensions for the trip to Turf Moor after they both picked up their fifth Premier League bookings of the season in the 2-0 victory over Chelsea.
Read the full story HERE

Premier League announce referee for Burnley vs Everton
Everton will be aiming to win four successive league games for the first time since 2020, when the team heads to Burnley on Saturday evening.
The Premier League have announced the refereeing appointments for matchweek 17, including for the clash at Turf Moor.
The game will be refereeed by Anthony Taylor, who will be joined by assistants Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn. Chris Kavanagh will be on VAR duty, with Sian Massey-Ellis working as assistant VAR. The fourth official will be Tom Bramall.
Jarrad Branthwaite tipped for England call-up ahead of Euros
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwait has been tipped for an England call-up.
The 21-year-old has been one of the standout players for Sean Dyche's side and his performance against Chelsea has led pundit Micah Richards to highlight his quality in defence.
"Young Branthwaite at the back was amazing. He’s going to the very top, his decision-making, he reads the game well, he’s quick enough, makes the right decisions," he told the Rest is Football Podcast.
Richards praised his partnership with James Tarkowski, as well as Dyche's management, and was asked whether Branthwaite should be considered by England boss Gareth Southgate for the upcoming Euros.
"No not too early,” Richards responded. “I would take him, get him the experience. If you look at the centre-halves, you’re looking at [Harry] Maguire, [John] Stones, possibly [Marc] Guehi, you’re looking at [Lewis] Dunk, but there’s not a great amount is there?
“I would take him for the experience, not put too much pressure on him… because he’s going to the very top, he really is.”

Alan Shearer praises Dwight McNeil
Fresh from Everton's win over Chelsea on Sunday, Alan Shearer has included Dwight McNeil in his team of the week.
The winger has been thriving in recent weeks and caught Shearer's eye, once again, at the weekend, in his latest Premier League XI:
"Although he didn’t score himself, he was a constant threat in dangerous pockets. Sean Dyche is again getting the best out of him."

Everton eyeing Mason Holgate recall - three clubs want defender
Mason Holgate is reportedly attracting interest from Rangers, Middlesbrough and Watford.
According to Football Insider, Everton are monitoring the defender's progress on loan at Southampton and could recall him in January due to a lack of first-team football with the Saints.
The Blues, it has been said, want Holgate to be playing regularly and are keen to terminate his loan before finding a new club.
As a result, Scottish Premier League giants, Rangers, and Championship clubs Middlesbrough and Watford are keen.

Everton want Federico Gatti
Everton are reportedly tracking Juventus defender Federico Gatti.
That is according to Calciomercato via SportWitness, who have followed on from reports made by Tuttosport that the Blues were previously working on a deal to sign the centre-back.
The latest claim suggests that Nottingham Forest are also in the hunt and Everton are still interested in Gatti.
It remains to be seen whether the Premier League can be a lure for the 25-year-old. He has further asserted himself in Turin with three goals this season - two of which being crucial goals in wins over Monza and Napoli.

Everton dealt fresh Michael Keane injury concern
Michael Keane is a doubt for Everton’s trip to Burnley.
The centre-back has not started a league game since the defeat at Aston Villa in August, after which Jarrad Branthwaite was given an opportunity he took full advantage of.
Branthwaite’s run of league starts will end at the weekend, though, as he serves a one match suspension after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season.
Read the full story HERE

Morning, Blues
Hello and welcome to our Everton live blog.
We'll bring you all the latest news and transfer speculation surrounding the Blues, with fans still savouring the win over Chelsea. Sean Dyche's side have recorded three consecutive victories and are four points clear of the relegation zone.