Fabrizio Romano says former Everton youngster is about to sign for Leeds United

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Everton have produced a number of talented players from their Finch Farm academy.

Wayne Rooney, Leon Osman and Jarrad Branthwaite are just a handful of academy graduates who have established themselves as top players in the first team.

Everton have big hopes for Harrison Armstrong, so he could be the next one to fly that flag after a successful loan at Derby County.

Armstrong is expected to join up with David Moyes’ squad for pre-season and will be closely monitored before deciding what his next step is.

However, for all of Everton’s academy success stories, there are also a few that slip away, and now one of their former youngsters is about to join Leeds United.

• READ MORE: Everton have officially entered discussions over ‘eye-catching’ deal for two-time PL winner

Former Everton youngster Jayden Lienou set to join Leeds United

Everton and Leeds have been battling to sign a number of players this summer, with Sean Longstaff, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Manor Solomon and Habib Diarra just a few examples.

Now, the Whites are actually set to sign a former Everton youngster from Manchester City in a deal worth £500,000.

Jayden Lienou, who is a talented left-back, left the Finch Farm academy for the Citizens just over a year ago.

The Wales youth international had a productive season with City and is now on the verge of completing a transfer to the newly-promoted Premier League side.

Lienou is expected to play for Leeds’ under-21s to begin with.

Everton much better placed to keep their top talents

Everton are in a much healthier position to keep their best youngsters as the Friedkins are pumping substantial cash into the academy.

The American investors have identified that as an area which needs significant improvement, so they’ve moved quickly to appoint one of the best academy chiefs in the country.

Nick Cox has joined Everton from Manchester United, which is regarded as a real coup after bringing through the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho.

Man United fans were gutted to lose Cox, so it says a lot about just how highly-rated he was around Carrington.