Manchester United, Arsenal and a host of other clubs, including Bayern Munich, are hoping to snap up Everton left-back Thierry Small this summer, according to The Athletic.
The website’s Everton correspondent Greg O’Keeffe has confirmed that the 16-year-old has missed the first week of pre-season training as he looks to force a move away from Goodison Park:
Thierry Small has not returned to training as he seeks a move away from #EFC:
? Absent for first full week under Benitez
? #MUFC & #AFC interested in 16-year-old
? Everton had been preparing three-year deal
? Recently parted with agent – has new representative✍️ @GregOK
— The Athletic UK (@TheAthleticUK) July 13, 2021
It is thought that Small is trying to engineer a transfer because he does not believe there is a pathway for him into the first team under manager Rafa Benitez.
France international Lucas Digne is the club’s established first choice, while youngster Niels Nkounkou was signed from Marseille last summer as a potential long-term replacement.
With that in mind, Small has been looking for a way out, having also recently changed agents in the hope of attracting interest. Whether United could offer the teenager the game time he needs, though, it is doubtful, so we shall see who he ends up joining.
