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Arsenal told to pay £25 million to land centre-back Chris Smalling from Manchester United

Arsenal have received a boost from their rival Manchester United for their defender Chris Smalling as according to reports, the Old Trafford side is ready to let the player go in the Summer.

Arsenal told to pay £25 million to land centre-back Chris Smalling from Manchester United

London, Feb 19: Arsenal received a boost from their rival Manchester United for their defender Chris Smalling as according to reports, the Old Trafford side is ready to let the player go in the Summer.

Smalling has been enjoying a regular first-team berth under Mourinho ahead of Bailly, who has been suffering from consistent injury issue this season, and fellow team-mates Lindelof, Rojo and Blind.

But as per reports, the Portuguese manager is not happy with the player's progress and his inconsistent form for United could now see the club look to offload him in the summer.

According to reports, Mourinho is looking at other defensive options in the Summer and in a bid to cut loose some of the deadwood from the team, he is ready to let go the English defender first to which fellow league rival Arsenal are ready to jump in.

Wenger earlier has often claimed that he wants to add centre-back in his squad and also reportedly tried for West Brom defender Jonny Evans in the Winter window in a bid to defensive overhaul but ran out of money after breaking the club’s transfer record by signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Speaking about his wish to strengthen his back-line, Wenger said earlier this month: 'Our defensive numbers aren’t good enough. We needed strengthening because we have to improve our defensive numbers to make the top four.

'I will adapt to the difficulties we face and must see how the idea I have works. We are flexible – we can play with a back three or four.’

And now as per reports, the French boss has already started to plan for the Summer recruitments and while keeping in mind that they can get Evans for just £3m should the Baggies be relegated, they also enquired about the availability of United defender Smalling to which they have got a positive response.

According to reports, the United administrators have told the Gunners hierarchy that the club is open to selling the English player in the player however they have to splash out as much as £25 million to land the England international.

Should Smalling become surplus to requirements at Old Trafford, United are thought to be lining up a bid for Spurs defender Toby Alderweireld and Leicester centre-back Harry Maguire and reportedly also eying a move for Nice midfielder Jean Michael Seri.

Smalling joined Manchester United from Fulham in 2010 and has made 274 appearances for the side during his eight years stay, winning two league titles and one FA Cup, League and Europa cup each.

Story first published: Monday, February 19, 2018, 15:10 [IST]
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