Manchester United have been making headlines with their summer spending, having secured two of the best players in European football in the form of Victor Lindelof from the Portuguese Primera Liga champions Benfica and Romelu Lukaku from fellow Premier League rivals Everton. The Red Devils are not looking to stop their pursuit for players and are looking to bring in some more in the transfer market.
However, the former Premier League Champions are also willing to let go of some of their players, who are a part of the existing side. One such player is the English centre back Chris Smalling, who might be reduced to more of a bits and pieces role, now that the Red Devils are in possession of the Swedish defender Lindelof, whom they have brought in from Benfica as the first signing of the summer transfer window.
With his future in uncertainty, the 27-year old English international, who has been the man of the season for the Red Devils in the term prior to the last one, is looking to make a move out of Old Trafford, with the aim to join a club who will give him the opportunity to start on a regular basis in the next term.
After he was sidelined for quite a long time due to an injury in the last term, it became crucial for the English defender to prove himself as one of the main men in the backline for United, with a new manager at the helm in the form of the Portuguese mastermind Jose Mourinho. The player was, however, not able to make a mark in the team and faced stern criticism from the ex-Chelsea boss for his alleged lack of commitment to the team.
However, his form in the season prior to the last one has been one of the reasons for Smalling getting a number of clubs attracted towards him and willing to bag him for the new season. Stoke City, who are currently looking for a good option to strengthen their defence for the next term, are reportedly much interested in bagging the player for the next season and pairing him with Ryan Shawcross at the heart of their defence in the forthcoming term.
Smalling, who joined the Red Devils in 2010 from Fulham after featuring in just 19 matches for the Whites, has been one of the most dependable players in the backline for them. Reportedly, Crystal Palace, as well as Leicester City, have also expressed their interest in the player for the next season.
