Everton manager Ronald Koeman is hopeful of luring Manchester United defender Chris Smalling away from Old Trafford this month, reports The Star on Sunday.
The Toffees are expected to be one of the busiest clubs in the January transfer window after winning just three of their last 15 matches in all competitions.
Koeman had been interested in reuniting with Southampton star Virgil Van Dijk this month but a £50m price tag may prove beyond Everton, while Smalling would provide a much cheaper option if available.
Smalling, who was arguably United’s best player last season, has struggled to reproduce a similar level of performances this season and has even been publicly criticised by manager Jose Mourinho.
The England international is no longer an automatic starter for United following an immense run of displays by Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones and Everton could look to take advantage of that this month.
However, with Eric Bailly off with the Ivory Coast on Africa Cup of Nations duty, Mourinho isn’t going to allow any defenders to leave the club this month, although that could change at the end of the season.
United have reportedly ended their interest in Benfica defender Victor Lindelof but could return for the Sweden international at the end of the season, which would put Smalling’s place in the team in doubt.
In the last two seasons Smalling has made at least 40 more headed clearances than any other United player in the Premier League (133).
For more stats on Chris Smalling, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
