Everton facing separate tapping-up inquiry over pursuit of now-Man United youngster

More worrying news for Everton.

Everton are reportedly facing another tapping-up inquiry, this one related to the pursuit of a former Cardiff City schoolboy who is currently at Manchester United. The Telegraph reports that Everton are alleged to have breached Premier League rules related to the transfer of minors when they attempted to sign the youngster in 2016. The report claims that a letter of complaint was sent to the Premier League last month and the Toffees will now be investigated and if found guilty, they could be hit with an academy transfer ban. The player, who remains unnamed in the report, since moved to Manchester United and his new club apparently agreed to pay the £10,000 compensation that Cardiff demanded from Everton after the schoolboy's development was allegedly disrupted by the Merseyside club's pursuit. In a statement on the subject, Everton said: "Everton has been notified of an allegation relating to an approach by the club to an academy-aged player. "On being made aware of this, we immediately launched an internal investigation and have been co-operating fully with all of the relevant authorities." Everton are facing a separate tapping-up inquiry related to the acquisition of manager Marco Silva, who took charge at Goodison Park this summer. Silva's former club Watford complained about how Everton went about convincing the Portuguese to join them and an investigation has now been opened. It remains possible but unlikely that Everton could face a points deduction if found guilty.