Everton hope to receive a similar fee from Southampton for defender Thierry Small to the compensation Fulham were awarded from Liverpool for Harvey Elliott, per The Athletic.
Small tore up the final year of his scholarship deal at Goodison Park to move to St Mary’s this week. He has agreed three-year professional terms with the Saints, over interest from England and abroad. Including Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Bayern Munich.
The left-back chose to leave Merseyside for pastures new to boost his chances of a quick route to first-team football. Everton had hoped to hand Small a professional contract on his 17th birthday on August 1.
Talks between Everton and Small’s representatives began late last year. But Director of Football Marcel Brands and Head of Recruitment and Development Gretar Steinsson failed to ease the full-back’s concerns. Instead, the teenager watched on in frustration at his lack of progression following a brief debut. Playing just five minutes and leaving after one game.
Small could terminate his scholarship contract with Everton, who Southampton will now owe compensation, at any time. The Premier League outfits will now have to either agree a fee, or the case will go to the Professional Football Compensation Committee (PFCC).
Everton valued Small highly and believe they should receive similar to the £4.3m the PFCC ordered Liverpool to pay Fulham for Elliott. Like Small, Elliott made his senior debut at 16 before leaving his childhood club. While England also called Small up to the U19s at just 16.
Small is Everton’s youngest ever debutant after his brief cameo under Carlo Ancelotti in the FA Cup against Sheffield Wednesday. He came on for the final five minutes of January’s fourth-round tie, but never featured in another first-team matchday squad.
How much should Southampton pay Everton for Small?
Liverpool’s Elliott is a good example for Everton when urging the PFCC order Southampton pay a high price for Small. The 18-year-old made his Fulham debut one-month after turning 16 and only made his England U19s debut in a friendly with Derby’s U23s last November.
Additionally, the winger only made three senior outings for Fulham, totalling 27 minutes, before leaving Craven Cottage. So, Everton may feel confident in the PFFC telling Southampton to pay a similar fee to the £4.3m, along with a 20% sell-on clause.
Further, Hampshire Live reported a likely cost of around £5m before Small moved to St Mary’s. So, Everton could expect to make a solid amount, even if they wanted him to stay.
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