Everton to suffer double blow as Small signs for Southampton – Whelan
Noel Whelan has claimed Everton are set to suffer a double blow after Thierry Small completed a move to Southampton.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the Toffees are set to lose a highly-rated youngster and miss out on a big payday in one go.
Southampton confirmed Small’s signing on Tuesday (24th August) after Football Insider revealed the Saints had agreed terms of a professional contract with the 17-year-old.
Small chose to cancel his scholarship deal with Everton to pursue a move elsewhere.
The Toffees will still be due compensation for his development costs.
The overall amount will likely be decided by a tribunal, with an Everton source telling Football Insider the figure could be as much as £5million.
However, Whelan insisted Everton had been dealt a double blow of both losing a homegrown player and missing out on a big-money fee.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “There might be a little bit of money that comes your way.
“It’s a shame that he doesn’t want to sign professional forms after being brought through and looked after by them.
“The compensation isn’t anywhere near what you’d get from him coming through and making his way into the first team.
“You’d much prefer to see that, especially the people from the academy levels. Whatever age he was there from, they’ve nursed him, coached him, looked after him, progressed him.
“You’d like to think that kind of honour was there to you know sign that professional contract. I mean I certainly wouldn’t do that.
“I mean I was at Leeds. Best thing in the world that ever happened to me was getting a pro contract. Times have changed with young players and possibly agents that look after them as well.”
In other news, Everton have pulled off ‘bargain of the century’ after what Whelan saw at Leeds.