Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly keen on signing 33-year-old English defender Chris Smalling from AS Roma.
According to a report from The Sun, Tottenham Hotspur are looking to sign AS Roma defender Chris Smalling in the January transfer window. And the 33-year-old is on the radar of clubs like Inter Milan and Juventus as well.
The veteran English centre-back will be out of contract in the summer, and AS Roma have not managed to agree on a contract extension with him yet. The report adds that Smalling would like to stay at the Italian club beyond this season. So it remains to be seen whether the two parties can come to an agreement.
The 33-year-old has been an impressive addition to the Roma squad, and he has established himself as a key player since joining the club. The defender was expected to head to the World Cup with England. But he was not chosen by Gareth Southgate despite impressive performances in Serie A.
Tottenham are prepared to bring him back to the Premier League next month amid their desperate search for a centre-back. It is no secret that the Londoners will need to add more quality and depth to their defence, and the AS Roma defender could prove to be a smart acquisition for Antonio Conte.
Cristian Romero is currently the only reliable defender at the club. But the likes of Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, and Clement Lenglet have all been inconsistent at the back. Bringing in a quality centre-back could make a huge difference for Tottenham and Smalling certainly seems like an interesting option.
The 33-year-old is likely to be available for cheap because of his contract situation, and he could make an immediate impact at the London club. Smalling has played in the Premier League in the past with Manchester United, and he should be able to settle in quickly. But the veteran English centre-back is not the only defender on Tottenham’s radar, with Axel Disasi recently emerging as a target.
As for Smalling, moving to Inter Milan or Juventus would represent an excellent opportunity for the player as well. But the opportunity to return to the Premier League could be a tempting proposition for the player if Roma decide against a renewal. It will be interesting to see if the veteran English defender joins Tottenham.
