Everton are rivalling Celtic in showing interest in Aston Villa youngster Tyreik Wright as the Toffees look to bolster their pool of young prospects, according to the Daily Mail.
Clubs have been alerted to Wright as his contract with Villa expires in the summer, meaning he could make the switch to Goodison Park as a free agent.
The 19-year-old is a left-footed winger and is noted by the Daily Mail as a pacey and direct right-sided attacker. He joined Aston Villa in 2018 from Irish side Lakewood and has already enjoyed senior football with a loan spell at League Two side Walsall.
In his first two appearances on loan at the Bescot Stadium, the youngster hit the ground running with two assists. A youth international for the Republic of Ireland, Wright was noted by Walsall manager Darrel Clarke as a bright young prospect that looks up to the challenge of senior football. The Saddlers boss quipped:
Tyreik’s got great ability. He’s been showing his match winning qualities in the Under 23’s at Villa and for his country at youth level.
We’ve got a great relationship with Villa and we’re very grateful to them for letting us have one of their exciting youngsters.
He has that match winning quality, energy, pace, and he created the goal at Port Vale [his debut] with one bit of magic. As long as he’s doing the other side of the job he’ll have a good future.
Read Everton Verdict
Although Wright is showing promising capabilities at senior level, Everton fans should be cautious. The 19-year-old is still a young raw talent and requires nurturing into top-level football.
Expectations should not be thrust unto him to the degree that they become burdensome, but his contract situation could tempt Villa into an early sale.
Regardless, Wright could be a useful and affordable addition to David Unsworth’s under-23s squad and appears capable of being loaned out within the English footballing pyramid.
