"Trying to..": Behind-the-scenes transfer claim emerges, it’s bad news for Everton - opinion

Everton have been dealt a setback to their hopes of securing a deal for Wolves midfielder and reported summer target, Morgan Gibbs-White.

Speaking to Wolves TV (via Liverpool Echo), the midfielder had this to say about his immediate future and what his main focus is at the moment.

He said: “Getting back fit, trying to prove to the manager why I should be here and why I want to play every week. It’s mainly fitness and keeping that momentum going that I had last year. I feel like it’s going to be a big season ahead for me, personally.”

Despite the Toffees reportedly having a £25m bid for the Wolves figure rejected, it seems as though the player is keen on staying at Molineux and not looking to make a move elsewhere as things stand.

This would surely be a blow to the Merseyside club who must be keen to secure his signature given their initial offer for him.

As a product of Wolves’ youth system, the 22-year-old has made 103 appearances for the Midlands club across their senior and U23 sides.

In those appearances, the Englishman has scored five goals and delivered six assists along the way.

Despite a rather uninspiring goal contribution record for his club, his previous season on loan with Sheffield United in the Championship saw Gibbs-White show what he’s capable of.

Having made 37 appearances for the Blades, the Wolves youngster ended up scoring 12 goals and delivering ten assists for the Yorkshire club.

To further highlight his attacking talent, no other United player managed to make as many shots at goal (86) or shots on target (33) than the 22-year-old in the Championship prior to the play-offs.

Bearing in mind how only five other clubs managed to register fewer shots at goal last season in the Premier League than