Everton Set to Open Braiden Graham Contract Talks

Everton are set to open contract talks with young forward Braiden Graham. 

Graham made the move to the Toffees back in 2024, joining the club from Belfast side Linfield. The now 18-year-old made his senior debut for the Northern Irish side at the age of just 15, having flourished at youth level.  

Since arriving with the Toffees, Graham has been a consistent goal scorer at under-21 level despite being just 18 years old. Graham has scored 25 goals in 34 games during the 25-26 season, often playing on the left-hand side of attack.

Due to his size, Graham has been drifting more out wide despite his upbringing as a striker, which is no surprise as they prepare him for senior football.

According to The Bobble, Everton are set to open talks with young forward Graham over a new contract. 

Graham's current deal is set to expire next summer after he signed a professional contract at the age of 17 back in 2024. With Everton set to lose youngster Demi Akarakiri, they are clearly looking to tie down their young prospects to avoid another highly rated departure.  

Akarakiri is out of contract this summer, and he's now set to leave the club to join Italian side Cagliari. 

Graham has been involved in the senior setup at times during training, but he's yet to be given his first-team debut. The 18-year-old was given a place on the bench against Sunderland and Nottingham Forest last season, but he failed to make an appearance for the Toffees.  

According to a report from The Athletic, Graham is set to be given more opportunities to train with the senior squad, particularly in the early part of pre-season. This then gives Everton the opportunity to weigh up whether Graham needs a loan move, with clubs in the Football League showing an interest.

It is now up to Everton to prove to Graham that there is a pathway for him to develop into a player capable of playing for the senior squad in the next few years. This doesn't mean Graham needs regular minutes instantly, but an opportunity to develop into a first-team player in the near future.

A loan move would be the natural step for Graham next, allowing him to drop down to the lower leagues in order to try and deal with the physicality of the English game.