According to The Chronicle, Newcastle United have been offered the chance to sign Manchester United defender Chris Smalling.
It’s claimed that Roma have stuttered over United’s £20million asking price for Smalling, with a permanent move now looking unlikely.
United have now offered him around to English clubs, with Newcastle – managed by ex-Red Devil Steve Bruce – one club being targeted.
The report notes that United did look at Smalling last season, but it’s unclear whether they will actually make a move to sign him.
Fulham want to re-sign Smalling having sold him in 2010, but the £130,000-a-week wages he earns at United could be an issue.
The 30-year-old has impressed on loan at Roma this past season, getting back to his best after a frustrating period under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
He is unlikely to force his way back into the United plans, so would he make sense for Newcastle this summer?
The Magpies already have Jamaal Lascelles, Florian Lejeune, Ciaran Clark, Federico Fernandez and Fabian Schar at centre back, though the latter three are all out of contract in 2021.
Add in that Lascelles is injured and Lejeune is wanted back in France, and Smalling could become a real option – but surely only if one or two of those defenders go.
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