Whelan issues ‘brilliant’ Everton claim after source’s Patterson reveal today
Noel Whelan has insisted Nathan Patterson will prove a “brilliant signing” for Everton.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 20-year-old was always “destined for the Premier League”.
As revealed by this site yesterday (3 January), Everton and Rangers have agreed a £12million deal for Patterson, rising to £16million after add-ons.
An Everton source told Football Insider today that Patterson has reached an agreement with the Toffees on a long-term deal initially worth £28,000-a-week.
Whelan suggested the Scottish youngster could have “real longevity” at Goodison Park.
He told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “It’s a good deal.
“£12m with £4m add-ons – that’ll be based on appearances, goals, international caps.
“They’ve been looking at him a while now and tried a move last summer, so they’ve obviously just wanted to move very quickly to get this deal done.
“He’ll be a brilliant signing. He’s a young talent who was probably always destined to come to the Premier League. Everton have not messed about in bringing him over.
“They’re realising the predicament they are in right now, and they’re trying to address it.
“Patterson has got the potential to have real longevity at Everton. He’s not someone who has come in to fill a gap until the end of the season. They’ve committed to developing him over a number of years.”
Patterson is set to become Everton’s second January arrival after they announced a deal for Vitaliy Mykolenko on Saturday.
The right-back has made 11 appearances for Rangers this term.
In other news, Premier League strugglers are plotting a raid for Everton defender.