Everton have 18-year-old Arsenal youngster in trial with them right now

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Everton have a tough decision to make, as they assess a trialist who netted the winner in an under-21 game against Tottenham Hotspur.

The reserve side were 2-1 victors against the 10-man North Londoners in the Premier League 2 on the weekend.

Highly-rated striker Francis Okoronkwo was substituted off within the first minute due to a hamstring problem.

Though, that presented Omari Benjamin, a triallist from Arsenal, the opportunity to impress Everton coaches and he did just that.

Everton face Omari Benjamin decision

Benjamin seems to have given himself a great shot of penning a deal with the Merseysiders after impressing in the victory at Spurs.

He could join at a good time for the club as the first-team forwards Beto and Dominic Calvert-Lewin continue to falter in front of goal.

Of course, Benjamin would initially be signed as a future prospect – but if Everton don’t solve their goalscoring woes, then an opening could present itself in the coming years.

The under-19 Wales international would be in the same boat as young striker Youssef Chermiti, who has played for the reserve team of late in the hope of convincing Sean Dyche for a place in his starting line-up.

The 2005-born forward has a prolific goal record at youth level, having netted 18 times in 30 appearances for Arsenal’s under-18s, as per Transfermarkt.

With that said, it’s a little surprising that the Gunners are willing to let him depart in the summer, but that is often the case in academy football.

Anyhow, what’s Arsenal’s loss may be Everton’s gain, and they face a big decision on whether to offer Benjamin a contract.

Everton investing in their academy

Everton’s interest in Benjamin comes shortly after the signing of Kingsford Boakye, who was on the books of Serie A giants Milan.

The 19-year-old departed the Italian club last summer and The Toffees snapped up his signature in January.

Boakye made his Everton under-21 debut in the Premier League 2 last month, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa.

In his post-match report, Royal Blue Mersey journalist Geoffrey Blunt wrote: “There were certainly little flashes of the skill that tempted Everton to sign him (Boakye) on a 2 year contract.

“The second half was a better showing from him and the team generally. He got on the end of a few neat though balls as the Blues midfield was bolstered and he looks as though he has pace and will be hard to knock off the ball.”

The Ghanaian can operate on both flanks and will be hopeful of breaking into Dyche’s squad before his contract expires in 2026.

Whether he turns out to be a successful signing for the club remains to be seen, but either way, it’s encouraging to see Everton investing in the academy.