Report: United to sell Smalling amid interest from 3 Premier League clubs
Chris Smalling's time at Manchester United is reportedly coming to an end.
After reaching an agreement with Benfica to sign promising Swedish centre-back Victor Lindelof, the Red Devils have decided to sell Smalling in the upcoming summer transfer window, according to The Telegraph's Matt Law.
West Ham, West Brom, and Everton have registered interest in the 27-year-old, Law added, and could expect to sign the player for a discount fee of £15 million.
Questions over Smalling's future at Old Trafford emerged in April, when Mourinho publicly challenged the England international to "be brave" and play through the pain. Partner Phil Jones and Luke Shaw received similar pleas from the Portuguese boss, but Smalling has apparently been shown the door first.
Eric Bailly will most certainly partner with Lindelof in the heart of the defence next season, and with a selection of centre-backs available, including the versatile Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo, there is an obvious need to shed weight.
Smalling defended himself last week against accusations of cowardice, saying he used painkillers in an October fixture against Chelsea to play through a broken toe. He subsequently missed six weeks of action, and also sat out with a knee problem.
"To be honest, I don't think any player is ever 100 percent," Smalling said. "There's always something. Out of the whole squad, there is going to be some niggle. As players, it's not about always being 100 percent. It's about going on the pitch and doing a job."
Smalling joined United from Fulham in 2010, winning the Premier League twice, the FA Cup in 2016, and both the EFL Cup and Europa League last season.