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Everton are leading the race to sign young Newcastle United defender Lewis Gibson.

The Blues want to add the 16-year-old England youth international to their Academy ranks as part of an expected injection of new players this summer.

Everton are having to fight off serious competition from Celtic while Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Southampton have also been tracking the left-footed teenager.

Director of football Steve Walsh is overseeing an aggressive recruitment drive of players aged between 16-18 and Gibson is a central part of his plans.

The Stanley-born teenager is currently away on international duty with England under-17s at the European Championships in Croatia.

Steve Cooper’s side play their first game on Thursday against Norway.

Everton’s Alex Denny is part of the Three Lions squad.

Gibson made his Newcastle u-18s debut in January 2016 and has become a permanent fixture in the side.

But the talented teen has also been called up by Peter Beardsley to play for Newcastle’s u-23s side this term.