Everton have extended the contract of their young midfielder Alex Denny amidst speculation linking him with a move to Rangers earlier this summer. According to the club’s official website, the Toffees Under-23’s talent has penned a deal at the club and has his eyes set on continuing with his development over the next few years.
The new deal will keep the English prospect at Goodison Park until the summer of 2020 which will give enough time to make an impression and stake his claim in Marco Silva’s first-team. He had tasted first-team football last season when he featured as a substitute in Everton’s win over Apollon Limassol in the UEFA Europa League before making his debut for the club’s Under-23 team.
After breaking into David Unsworth’s team, Denny became one of their most integral figures at the centre of the park and was the captain of the Toffees Under-23 team which faced off versus Liverpool in the mini-derby back in April.
In a recent interview with the club, Denny expressed his feelings after penning a new contract and was quoted to have said, “To sign my first contract with the club I have been at since I was nine is special for me,”
“I am looking forward to continuing my development and getting as close to the first team as I can.
“That [his smooth transition from Under-18 to Under-23 football] is credit to the staff and all the other boys who have helped me.
“There are differences in terms of the intensity but with the help of the staff, and me getting on with it and throwing myself in at the deep end, I took to it well.”
The recent development will be a big blow for the Gers who were interested in recruiting him earlier in this summer window. Steven Gerrard will now have to turn his attention somewhere else if he wants to sign a new midfielder ahead of the new season.
The addition of Denny would have definitely bolster Gerrard’s midfield options at the Ibrox Stadium. However, the fact that they are now well-equipped in the midfield area, especially after the arrival of Ovie Ejaria, Scott Arfield and Jamie Murphy earlier this summer, will soften the blow for the Teddy Bears. The potential acquisition of Denny would have undoubtedly improved their team and added more competition for places within the Rangers squad.
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It remains to be seen what lies ahead in the future of Denny and whether the Gers can cope with missing out on his services this summer.
