Everton chiefs decided against a recommendation to move for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher when he was in their academy.

The Liverpool Echo says Everton were urged to pursue a move for Chelsea's Gallagher when he was still a youngster coming through the academy at Stamford Bridge.

Blues scouts watched the Chelsea midfielder, now on-loan with Crystal Palace, at least 10 times between 2018-2020 and they strongly recommended he was seen by other club talent-spotters.

Gallagher was named Chelsea's Academy Player of the Year in 2019 and some inside of Everton's recruitment department were pushing hard for the club to look into the possibility of signing the highly-promising player.

But a follow-up scouting trip seems to have put a hold on Everton's interest in Gallagher who has, this week, earned his first call-up to the England squad, with the report at the time said to question if he would be a good fit for the squad.