Manchester United's Chris Smalling up for sale as Victor Lindelof completes £30m transfer from Benfica
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Chris Smalling is being hawked around the Premier League as Manchester United prepare to sell the England defender.
Boss Mourinho wants to offload the 27-year-old, with Everton and West Ham among the clubs to have been sounded out.
It comes as United confirmed the capture of long-time target and fellow centre-back Victor Lindelof from Portugal's Benfica on Wednesday evening, with Mourinho clearly feeling Smalling does not have a future at Old Trafford.
Everton are more likely to move for Burnley’s Michael Keane , who remains their primary defensive target, but there will be no shortage of takers for Smalling.
WATCH — MOURINHO ON INJURED SMALLING AND LUKE SHAW LAST NOVEMBER...
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...AND THEN IN APRIL ON THE ABSENT SMALLING AND PHIL JONES:
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West Ham are interested and it remains to be seen whether other big clubs come in for the centre-back, who will be anxious that the upheaval does not affect his England career.
Mourinho publicly questioned Smalling’s attitude more than once this past season and also admitted to being dismissive of his footballing ability when discussing tactics for their recent Europa League final win over Ajax.
He has revealed he told his defence to by-pass the Dutch side's highly-rated midfield and said: “I even joked with Smalling - ‘With your feet, we’re for sure not playing out from the back!’”
Mourinho is prepared to be ruthless as he looks to shake up his squad this summer, with Sweden international Lindelof coming in and a deal close for Real Madrid and Spain striker Alvaro Morata.
(Photo: Daily Mirror/Andy Stenning)
(Photo: Man Utd via Getty)
Smalling's fellow England defender Phil Jones has insisted he is prepared to fight for his place at Old Trafford, and revealed the manager has already been in touch.
Jones said: “We are Manchester United. We are going to attract the big players and the best players — it would be a strange summer if we weren’t signing players like that.
“Competition is always good and we have a good squad there. I am looking forward to the start of pre-season.
“It was just a normal conversation that goes on between players and managers. He is a good man manager and like that with all the players.”