Thierry Small set to reject contract amid interest from Arsenal and Man Utd
Everton youngster Thierry Small is ready to snub a contract offer from the Toffees in order to pursue a deal elsewhere, report The Express.
A three-year deal for Small is being mooted but he is believed to be keen on a first-team opportunity elsewhere, with Manchester United, Arsenal, Brighton, Leeds and Brentford said to be interested.
Small is highly-rated at Goodison, so much so that Carlo Ancelotti made him Everton’s youngest ever player when he made his debut at 16 years and 157 days against Sheffield Wednesday in January.
However, a lack of first-team opportunities mean the full-back is unwilling to commit to a deal, per The Express’ report.
Get the deal done
Small is clearly a very talented player and according to the Express he is regarded as the best player in his position in the country.
He has also earned comparisons to Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davis, which shows he could have a lot to offer Everton.
It is frustrating that the club risk losing Small, therefore.
The youngster apparently respects Lucas Digne’s ability but wants more involvement in first-team training [Ryan Taylor, Express].
That is not such an audacious command and given how highly he is rated we should be willing to give him greater opportunities.
Furthermore, playing alongside Digne in training and learning from the Frenchman should greatly enhance Small’s development.
It is puzzling to see him frozen out since the FA Cup match at the beginning of the year, and it seems we could be punished for it unless we make certain commitments to Small.
In other Everton news, two players have failed fitness tests while away on international duty.
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