Report – Everton plot summer swoop for senior English talent
Everton are keen on signing Manchester United defender Chris Smalling, according to Italian outlet Gazzetta Dello Sport.
The 30-year-old is currently on loan at Roma in Serie A, where he has proven to be a big hit this season, making 28 appearances in all competitions.
And it is understood that the Toffees are eager to bring him back to England at the end of the campaign.
But Carlo Ancelotti could face competition to land his man, with the Italian side hoping to wrap up a permanent deal for the England international.
It is understood that both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are also pursuing Smalling, but could be beaten to his signature if Roma secure Champions League football.
Would this be a good signing for Everton?
It’s a strange story, that much is for sure.
For one thing, it would appear that Ancelotti would much rather land a younger player than one approaching the latter stages of his career, as per Sport Witness.
Of course, that’s not to say that Smalling wouldn’t perform for the Toffees.
The centre-back has been reborn over in Italy, and so far this season he has registered higher percentages of passes completed and duels won than he did for Man United last term, as per Wyscout.
Still, with Ancelotti’s priorities seemingly lying elsewhere, and with the level of competition Everton could face to land Smalling, it feels as if this one may not have the legs to ever come to fruition.
In other Everton news, Report – Toffees plot swoop for 24y/o Serie A talent.