Everton are being linked with Manchester United defender Chris Smalling.
According to the Daily Star, Everton are interested in signing Manchester United defender Chris Smalling, if he’s allowed to leave Old Trafford this year.
The Toffees snapped up Ashley Williams from Swansea City over the summer, but he’s now 32, and Phil Jagielka is now 34, meaning that manager Ronald Koeman needs to sign a younger centre back in the near future.
Manchester United’s Chris Smalling in action with Fenerbahce’s Robin van Persie
A host of defenders have already been linked with the club, and another name can be added to the list in Manchester United’s Chris Smalling.
Smalling, 27, joined United in 2010 having enjoyed a meteoric rise from non-league side Maidstone United to Fulham, and then to Old Trafford, where he has been in and out of the side over the years.
Chelsea’s Diego Costa in action with Manchester United’s Chris Smalling
The England international, enjoyed his best season for United last term with 55 appearances in all competitions, but he’s found life at little harder under Jose Mourinho this season.
Mourinho has often used Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo or Eric Bailly in the heart of defence, whilst Portuguese newspaper A Bola report that Benfica star Victor Lindelof could join the Red Devils this month.
Such a move would push Smalling further down the pecking order, and the Daily Star claim that Everton have him on their radar as they look for a new central defender, with Smalling’s athleticism potentially appealing to the Toffees.
With the Liverpool Echo recently claiming that Everton are prepared to offer £40million to land Manchester United duo Memphis Depay and Morgan Schneiderlin, the Toffees may look to make it a triple raid on the Red Devils with Smalling, but he is likely to be much more difficult to sign than surplus to requirements duo Depay and Schneiderlin.
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