Leeds United want to sign Everton left-back Thierry Small in the summer and are ready to offer the youngster a path to their first-team, according to the Express.
The newspaper claims that Small, 16, is prepared to snub the chance of a three-year professional deal at Goodison Park as he searches for increased opportunities in senior football.
He became the youngest-ever player to represent the Everton first-team in January when he played against Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup.
However, that one game has not proven to be enough to convince the left-back to stay on Merseyside and he’s now attracted attention from top clubs in England.
The Express reports that while Manchester United and Arsenal are keen on the English teenager, he’s ready to snub them because he doesn’t see them as good places to earn first-team opportunities.
Leeds, Brighton and Brentford, however, are reportedly ready to offer Small a “direct pathway straight into the first-team set-up”.
Small has only played once for Everton’s first-team but the Express’ report includes a raft of information about the youngster that suggests he’s the real deal.
He’s said to be a marauding full-back who has been likened to Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies due to the way he attacks down the left flank.
It is understood that Small “considered the best left-back in the country for his age and amongst the best in Europe”.
There’s no way we cannot get excited by potentially signing a player of this ilk.
Leeds need a left-back or two in the summer transfer window too with Ezgjan Alioski’s contract expiring and strong speculation linking him with a move to Galatasaray.
Alioski’s not a natural left-back and neither is Stuart Dallas but both of them have played in that role for the majority of this season.
It would be good to have an out-and-out left-back and Marcelo Bielsa does like to have attack-minded players in his full-back positions.
Small could be too young to fill that role next season but as one for the future, he seems like he’d be a sound addition.
