Tottenham are weighing up a move for Manchester United defender Chris Smalling, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper claim that the 27-year-old first teamer has been made available for transfer this summer after falling out-of-favour at the club, and that Tottenham view him as an alternative option to Harry Maguire.
Spurs were understood to have been keen on a deal to sign the Hull City defender following the club’s relegation to the Championship, only for Premier League rivals Leicester City to snap him up for £17million.
But with Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino still in the market for a new defender to act as cover for Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, Manchester United outcast Smalling has been identified.
The England international is just one of three centre-back targets on Spurs’ target list this summer, with Burnley’s Michael Keane and Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson also on the radar.
But Everton are likely to win the race ex-United defender Keane, leaving Smalling as perhaps an even more attractive option for Pochettino.
Smalling made just 18 Premier League appearances last season, but could find more regular opportunities hard to come by next term after United completed the signing of centre-back Victor Lindelof.
United have also shown a strong interest in Tottenham’s Eric Dier, whom the north London club value at £50million, and Smalling could be used a possible makeweight to land their man this summer.
Smalling has two years left to run on his current deal at Old Trafford, and prior to Jose Mourinho’s introduction as manager at the club, the centre-back had been a regular feature in the first-team.
Last season was only the first time in the last four seasons where Smalling has failed to make more than 20 league appearances in a single campaign.
He has made a total of 243 appearances for the club in all competitions since his move from Fulham in 2010, helping them to win two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, one League Cup and the Europa League.