Arsenal are keeping track of developments around the future of Everton academy left-back Thierry Small, according to a report.

The Daily Mail report that there’s interest in Thierry Small from various clubs around Europe, including Juventus, Wolfsburg, Valencia, Monaco, and Benfica, who all want to sign him now.

Arsenal are also in the race, asking to be kept informed of any developments. Everton have offered Small a three-year deal, but he’s yet to accept it, opening up the possibility they could lose him for no more than a basic compensation fee.

The player is holding out for whichever club gives him the clearest pathway to regular first-team football.

Arsenal could use an academy left-back, often using centre-backs or midfielders in the position at u18 level recently. However, they have Joel Lopez in the u23s and Kieran Tierney in the first-team.

In Small’s current age group, there’s clearly an opening at Arsenal. But the pathway to the senior side perhaps isn’t as clear as it might be elsewhere, so the club have their work cut out convincing him.

They could make the argument that with Sead Kolasinac on the way out, there’s likely to be potential to step up into a rotation role very soon. If they believe he’s capable of playing that role in the next season or two, Arsenal should go for it.

Small has made eight league appearances for the Everton u18s this season, scoring three goals. He also made his debut for the u23s from the bench in October.