Arsenal take pole position in race to sign resurgent Man Utd defender

Arsenal have jumped ahead of Everton and Leicester in the queue to snap up the reinvigorated Chris Smalling from Man Utd after the defender’s form for Roma has brought him back to prominence.

The Gunners’ defensive woes have been there for all to see this season, with the £7m capture of ex-Chelsea centre-half David Luiz in the summer failing to resolve their issues.

Despite not having a permanent manager in place, the Daily Express (via the Sunday Mirror) report that the Arsenal board ‘seem to be continuing in their pursuit of possible transfer targets.’

Smalling – who recently spoke out against a disturbing headline in the Italian press – has enjoyed a fruitful loan spell in Serie A thus far, with his string of impressive performances even putting him back on the radar of England manager Gareth Southgate.

Assistant manager Steve Holland even went as far as to travel to Italy to watch Smalling in action as the 30-year-old kept Inter Milan strike duo Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez in check as the teams played out a 0-0 draw on Friday night.

Now, the Express state that ‘the Gunners are said to be keeping tabs on him [Smalling] and are leading the chase,’ ahead of fellow Premier League rivals Everton and Leicester City.

Smalling appears to have no future at Man Utd despite his return to form, with the article revealing that Utd chiefs are prepared to promote 22-year-old Axel Tuanzebe ‘into a first-team regular rather than giving Smalling a chance to save his career at the club.’

The former Fulham defender previously spoke to the Daily Telegraph regarding his future at Old Trafford: “He [Ole Gunnar Solskjaer] said I would get games,”

“I am used to playing when I am fit. Although that might have been slightly different this season.

“I would have had the cup games and then in the league, depending on injuries.

“Would it have been the 40-50 games that I am used to if fit? It might have been the 20-30. Still a good number of games but I want to play.”

Meanwhile, Real Madrid are reportedly set to offer a furious Arsenal superstar a lifeline as his frustrations with the Gunners’ poor form continue to grow.

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