Arsenal has made an offer to sign £25 million out Manchester United defender Chris Smalling who is currently on loan to Serie A giants AS Roma.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is looking for defensive reinforcements this summer, and Smalling has impressed during his loan spell at Roma.
The United defender has become a fans’ favorite, with his consistent displays helping the club into the last 16 of the Europa League and fifth place in Serie A.
According to the Italian publication Corriere Dello Sport, Smalling has been talked about making the move to Roma permanent-but United still has an Arsenal contract in place.
United want £25million for the 30-year-old – which has shocked Roma as they were hoping to land Smalling for around £20m, according to Metro.
As well as facing competition from Roma for Smalling, Arsenal will also be up against Tottenham, Leicester, and Everton in the race for the rejuvenated defender’s services.
Arsenal has already signed young Saint-Etienne center-back William Saliba, who is due to join the rest of the squad this summer.
But Arteta wants to add more experience to his defense, with Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano and Frankfurt’s Evan N’Dicka also on the radar.
United will reportedly allow Smalling to leave if they can secure the signing of Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli.
Koulibaly has been a long-time target for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side and is on the radar of other top clubs after winning last season’s Serie A best defender award.
Napoli’s £90 million valuations have so far kept suitors at bay, but reports from Italy have suggested the 28-year-old could be tempted by a summer transfer.
And if United can seal a deal for the Senegal center-half, Smalling will be set free.
