Arsenal lead group of Premier League clubs in pursuit of Chris Smalling

Three Premier League clubs are interested in signing Roma center-back Chris Smalling once the 30-year-old return to Manchester United this summer. Arsenal appear the leaders in the clubhouse, but Everton and Leicester City are also keeping tabs on Smalling.

According to the Mirror, Arsenal are the favorites to bring in Roma center-back Chris Smalling when the 30-year-old return to Old Trafford next summer. Smalling fell out of favor with Manchester United when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer brought in 80 million Euro Harry Maguire this past summer. It is unlikely Smalling stays at Old Trafford, when he returns from his yearlong loan, as Solskjaer seems ready to promote 22-year-old Axel Tuanzebe to the main squad.

Smalling has had a revitalization in Rome this season having solidified a backline that has allowed just 15 goals in 15 Serie A games this season. According to whoscored, Smalling has earned a 7.48 rating in 11 Serie A appearances and a 7.35 overall rating in 16 appearances in all competitions. The 7.48 Serie A rating is good for fifth best overall rating in Italy, trailing just Domenico Berardi (7.79), Luis Alberto (7.73), Ciro Immobile (7.73) and Cristiano Ronaldo (7.54). This rating would be Smalling’s best of his career and is especially remarkable considering the center-back had a 6.79 rating in 24 Premier League appearances for Manchester United last season. Smalling is also top 10 in interceptions per game (1.9), offside won per game (1.0) and blocks per game (1.0).

Arsenal could really use a player like Smalling to sure up a backline that has given up at least two goals in five straight games and have given up 23 goals in just 15 Premier League games so far. With the expected departure of Shkodran Mustafi, Smalling would be a good piece to add to go along with David Luiz and Sokratis.

Chris Smalling has is also getting England National Team buzz once again as England manager Gareth Southgate was in Milan to check out the Roma center-back in action against Inter Milan this past weekend. Smalling hasn’t played for England since June 2017, but with Euro 2020 just six months away Southgate is looking to see who will make that cut. The Roma center-back could make the squad along with Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings and John Stones.

The Gunners look to be facing stiff competition for the 30-year-old and there are reports that Manchester United will not accept an offer for less than 17 million Euros.

I think this would be a great signing for an Arsenal squad that really need a full revamp in the back, but if they get into a bidding war they could lose out this summer.

What do you think Smalling’s impact on Arsenal would be? Does he end up with the Gunners? Another Premier League club? Or perhaps he stays in Italy? Regardless, the 30-year-old should see himself move away from Old Trafford come summer 2020.