Gibson’s time at United set for sticky end with £6m move

LEWIS Gibson has not trained with Newcastle United since May due to his future being in the air.

The talented England youth international is now understood to be moving to Everton, with the Toffees on the brink of a £6m deal for the defender.

Gibson (pictured) has also attracted interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton but Ronald Koeman seems set to lure him to Merseyside and he will work with Everton’s Under-23 set-up.

Newcastle are helpless to prevent him from leaving because the player wants to go and Gibson only has a year left on his scholarship which can be terminated at any time.

Gibson made just two appearances for Newcastle’s Under-23s last season and spent most of the season playing for the Under-18s despite attracting interest from Premier League scouts.

Both clubs must now finalise a compensation fee or the Court of Arbitration for Sport will determine his value.

The Magpies are yet to comment publicly on Gibson’s impending exit to Everton and signed centre-backs Stefan O’Connor and Josef Yarney who will play in Newcastle’s second string this season.

United may yet add more youngsters to their ranks with the Under-23 team set for extra attention due to their participation in the Checkatrade Trophy.