Ademola Lookman will become Everton’s first signing of the January transfer window today.
A deal worth £11 million has been agreed between the Blues and Charlton Athletic for the forward, who will now travel to Merseyside for a medical.
Negotiations over the player’s immediate future initially reached an impasse with the League One club hoping to retain his services on a half-season loan.
But Ronald Koeman remained insistent that the 19-year-old would remain with his new club from the offset as Everton aim to draw upon their squad options.
Addicks boss Karl Robinson revealed that Lookman was omitted from his side’s 4-1 win over Bristol Rovers on Monday due to illness and his impending transfer.
“He could have left in the summer and he chose to stay,” said Robinson.
“I had the same thing with Dele Alli (at MK Dons).
“He turned down a few moves in one window and it got to Christmas and the kid was so scared of tackles.
“He became a marked man, I saw players purposely try to kick him.
“I’ve moaned since day one about him needed protection. I can’t watch a kid’s dream go.
“The fans have stuck by in thick and thin and we have to stick by the kid through this as well. He’s an outstanding talent for the country.
“He did have a bit of a cold. I felt it was right to not involve him in the squad.”
Further additions are expected before the market closes on January 31 with Koeman still hopeful of luring Morgan Schneiderlin from Manchester United.
An initial £19 million bid for the France international, who worked with Koeman at Southampton, was rejected by Old Trafford officials earlier this week.