Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Manchester United central defender Chris Smalling, who is currently on loan at Italian side AS Roma.
The Englishman, who moved to the Italian club in the summer, is set to return to England following the end of his loan spell in 2020.
As per Mirror Football, the Gunners are one of many clubs interested in signing the 30-year-old, who has is currently having a solid season in Italy.
High-flying Leicester City and Everton are also considering making a move for Smalling. The report states that the defender may not have a future at Old Trafford as current Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to give a chance to young defender Axel Tuanzebe.
Smalling will reportedly be available for a fee of around £18 million. The England international’s contract with United expires in 2022, having signed a new deal with the club last year.
Wise choice Arsenal to go after Smalling?
Arsenal are a shambles at the back, with defenders like David Luiz, Sokratis, and Shkodran Mustafi nowhere near at the level expected in a top 4 side.
The Gunners have been crying out for a leader who can make an impact in the heart of defence, which they have lacked for years.
The signing of Chris Smalling could be a sensible addition to the club. The English defender has vast experience of the Premier League, having made over 200 appearances for Manchester United in the league.
Smalling has had a fantastic season in Italy with AS Roma, playing 11 times in the league, scoring twice, creating one assist, and being a leader at the back.
The defender is great in the air, is quick to make interceptions and tackles, and is a decent passer from the back. While he is not a world-class defender that the Gunners require, he is much better than the options they have at the moment.
At 30 years of age, Smalling is not a young player, but he has a few more years of Premier League level football left to offer.
At the price that he’s available for, the Gunners should sign him – which can only happen in the summer of 2020.
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