Everton are set to face an enormous battle to keep one of their most promising youngsters...

What's the word?

According to the Daily Mail, some of Europe's heavyweights, including Bayern Munich and Juventus, are keen on signing 16-year-old defender Thierry Small.

It's claimed that the Toffees are doing all they can to keep hold of him having offered a bumper three-year deal, but it could be too little too late now that there are a plethora of teams chasing his signature.

Small features regularly for the U23 squad after being poached from West Brom aged 11 whilst Puma are said to have tied him down to a sponsorship deal.

Could lose the next Baines?

It seems as if Everton have always had decent options at left-back, going from Leighton Baines to Lucas Digne is pretty impressive, and Niels Nkounkou is even staking a claim in the cup competitions.

But just because the club already have two firm options doesn't mean they should let their teenage sensation depart. In fact, it would be a massive mistake to see him leave as they're not just missing out on a piece of the future, but also, potential profit.

And we've seen this before under Marcel Brands. He left Antonee Robinson join Premier League rivals Fulham for just £2m. His exposure to the top-flight and continuous impressive displays will only make that seem like a bargain on Scott Parker's part.

The aforementioned report from the Mail goes onto suggest that Small is 'regarded by many as the best left-back in the country of his age' as well as comparing him to Alphonso Davies.

Although, he very much appears to be another Baines as the official Everton website notes his crossing and one-on-one abilities.

Whether he's the next Baines or merely Robinson 2.0, it would be a catastrophe to see him depart Goodison Park.

AND in other news, Everton could secure Ancelotti his new Robben this January...