According to reports, Leeds are eyeing a summer move for Everton starlet Thierry Small.
What’s the story?
Reports in recent days and weeks have suggested that Gjanni Alioski is on his way out of Elland Road, with suggestions that Turkish giants Galatasaray have already offered him a contract to join on a free transfer this summer.
It’s no surprise, then, that Leeds are being linked with a move for a new left-back, and the latest name to be touted is 16-year-old Small.
According to the Daily Express, Small is willing to snub a three-year professional deal at Goodison Park to find a better pathway to first team football elsewhere, with Leeds one of a number of Premier League sides name-checked as being able to offer that.
Shades of Ian Harte
When Ian Harte was in his pomp, he came up with some big-time goals for Leeds – he scored 35 times for the club – and that kind of natural attacking left-back is exactly what the Whites would be getting in Small.
In just 16 games for Everton’s under-18s and under-23s this season, the starlet has already bagged himself an impressive six goals, including three goals and one assist at Premier League 2 level – this despite him only being 16.
Toffees’ youth team boss David Unsworth has waxed lyrical about his ability and his attitude, and that should be music to the ears of Marcelo Bielsa.
The 47-year-old said: “Thierry is a fantastic boy. He’s been in the academy system a while and is an attacking left-back with great pace and power. The pace, the power, how he gets forward – he’s a smashing lad.
“I love working with him, he’s a great boy. He’s very coachable, very approachable, honest and has all the attributes of what I like to see in young Everton players. He has great desire too. I’m delighted with him.”
With Small’s natural instincts going forward, and his eye for goal, Victor Orta could well sign a new Harte for Leeds in the gifted 16-year-old.
Meanwhile, this Leeds target is shades of Mark Viduka…