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Arsenal target Thierry Small wants assurances on Carlo Ancelotti’s plans before signing Everton contract
According to , Thierry Small intends to seek assurances over his pathway into Carlo Ancelotti’s first-team plans before he is willing to sign a new contract with Everton.
The 16-year-old is due to be a free agent from this summer when his current deal expires, and talks over new terms have so far proven unsuccessful for the Goodison Park natives.
Small’s representatives are eager to hear whether or not the Merseyside outfit are prepared to guarantee their client opportunities to bridge the gap from youth-level football to the senior fold, amid widespread interest in his services.
Everton are expected to prioritise their time on ensuring Small does not feel disillusioned by his situation rather than target a new left-back in the summer, with Ben Godfrey seen as the understudy to Lucas Digne and a loan move for Niels Nkounkou on the cards.
Small became the Toffees’ youngest ever player when given his debut during January’s FA Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday at 16-years and 157-days (), but has not having been overlooked for inclusion in any subsequent matchday squad.
Prior reports by the note that Small is willing to reject the offer of a three-year deal to extend his time at Goodison Park in order to join a side where first-team action will be on offer, with Arsenal, Manchester United, Brighton, Brentford and Leeds all interested.
The later trio are thought to be prepared to offer the defender an immediate step up to the first-team, with Small considered to be the best player in the country and amongst the best in Europe for his position and age.
TBR’s view:
Chances for Small to make the step up to the first-team at Everton have understandably been thin and far between with Digne a vital player in Ancelotti’s system, and Godfrey delivering standout performances when called on to deputise for the France international.
Ancelotti admirers the potential that Small has to offer, though, and claimed he ‘did well’ in training with the senior squad earlier in the year, adding via : ‘He has quality and physicality to play with the first-team. He is one of our best players in the academy.’
Small’s ceiling for potential is clearly sky high with comparisons to Bayern Munich’s Champions League-winning speedster Alphonso Davies () for his willingness to attack and hug the touchline, which Everton will surely be reluctant to pass up for free.
But it remains to be seen if Ancelotti is prepared to present the assurances that Small and his representatives are after, or if the Toffees can come to an agreement that suits both sides.