Manchester United defender Chris Smalling is reportedly wanted by Everton, West Brom and West Ham.
Manchester United’s Chris Smalling in action with Stoke City’s Xherdan Shaqiri
According to The Telegraph, Manchester United will sell centre back Chris Smalling this summer, with Everton, West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion all keen.
Smalling, 27, enjoyed a meteoric rise from Maidstone United to Fulham and then to Manchester United after just 19 league appearances – and his time at Old Trafford has been up-and-down.
The centre back struggled to establish himself under Sir Alex Ferguson, but thrived under Louis van Gaal, becoming one of the Premier League’s top centre backs and a key player for England too.
Smalling hasn’t enjoyed quite as much success under Jose Mourinho, and with Eric Bailly signed last summer and Victor Lindelof set to arrive this summer, Smalling may now leave Old Trafford.
Manchester United’s Sergio Romero celebrates with Ander Herrera and Chris Smalling
The Telegraph report that Smalling will be allowed to leave United this summer for a fee of £15million, with three Premier League clubs – Everton, West Brom and West Ham – all believed to be keen.
Everton have been linked with a host of centre backs as they look to find a partner for Ashley Williams, given that Phil Jagielka is ageing and Ramiro Funes Mori has been unconvincing, with Smalling a possible solution.
England’s Chris Smalling celebrates
West Ham are an interesting proposition given that they can offer Greenwich-born Smalling a return to London, and he could form a back three with Jose Fonte and Winston Reid as Slaven Bilic looks to boost his porous Hammers defence.
Finally, West Brom have seen Jonas Olsson move on, and with Gareth McAuley set to turn 38 later this year, manager Tony Pulis may want a younger option at the back – and a move for Smalling would reunite him with former United team-mate Jonny Evans, which could be appealing.
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