Arsenal has been handed a boost in their bid to poach Thierry Small from Everton.
The 16-year-old is reportedly the best left-back in England for his age group and he has attracted attention from several top European sides.
Everton sees him as a key part of their future and they even gave him his debut in their first team earlier in the year.
However, his chances of first-team football have been limited since that time with the Toffees seriously chasing a top-four finish.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side wants to offer him a new long-term deal, but Express Sport says the teenager hasn’t accepted the three-year deal the club has put on the table.
The report says the lack of chances that he has found in the team does not impress him and is considering his options.
This gives Arsenal a good chance of taking him away from Merseyside.
The Gunners have developed a reputation for giving opportunities to youngsters and Mikel Arteta has continued with that tradition.
Kieran Tierney is currently Arsenal’s only top choice left-back after they allowed Sead Kolasinac to leave them for Germany.
If Small joins, he could become the second choice at the Emirates and get the chance to play regular first-team football a lot sooner.
Why would he join us to be backup to the best left back in the Premier League? If he’s not getting chances at Everton, he certainly won’t be getting any at Arsenal.
You beat me to it Declan…. unless that rumour about city sniffing around has some credit to it.
Lucas Digne doesn’t play for Arsenal.
Thierry Small joining Arsenal is the best decision because Kieran Tierney needs some rest he can’t play all games alone in his position and Small is young and we need a good backup so if he signs is a good backup and his guaranteed first team football .🤔
no quality backup will want to be 2nd choice
He will get his chances in the EL, FA, League cup and some EPL games, that is good enough to ease the pressure for a 16 year old new signing, plus working with other wonder kids – Saka, Martenelli, ESR and a young, pragmatic, serious, long term manager at the helm, we should pursue this talent all the way. No more Kolas type players to be seen even outside the hedge of the training ground, let alone match day squads
Sourcing a second AND 3rd LB option is the most pressing need in our squad for next season in fact it is critical right now.
With our squad bloated with over paid underperforming players on long term contracts and in the covid ravaged debt ridden financial climate talented cheap home grown youngsters are a prime target. Older players on a free but expensive like Kolasinac 120 kp/w Cedric Luiz and Willian need to be avoided.
Pay no more than 5mill for such youngsters and integrate them in the academy.
If he wants to leave Everton because he’s not getting any first team games then he’s not going to come here and be a back up for our LB I wouldn’t have thought.
Why would Arsenal consider this 16 yo, unless it is to bolster the Academy, when they have Joel Lopez (19), a former Spanish U17 International LB playing in the U23’s?
There was a time when natural left backs were plentiful but today they are pursued like gold dust.Can you really see Arsenal throwing a 16 year old in at the deep end?If he is recruited if will be for development within our Academy, not as an official back up for Tierney.