Everton target Morecambe youngster Connor Pye?

Everton have reportedly set their sights on young Morecambe full-back Connor Pye as an investment for the future.

The teenager, who joined from Wigan Athletic in 2020, has quickly caught the eyes of several clubs higher in the English leagues, drawing high praise and being branded as 'the next Andy Robertson'.

According to Football Insider, Everton have identified the Englishman as a future star and are lining up a swoop in the upcoming January transfer window, after academy prospect Thierry Small departed for Southampton in the summer.

Pye has quickly become an established member of Morecambe's first-team squad, and he has been hailed by academy manager Stewart Drummond, with the Shrimps expected to have to battle to keep him at the Mazuma Stadium.

With the Toffees' transfer budget for the upcoming January window set to be low, Rafael Benitez is expected to target cut-price deals, with Pye lined up as a cheap and low-risk investment by the hierarchy at Goodison Park.