EVERTON are reportedly keen on bringing Roma ace Chris Smalling to Goodison Park this summer.
Although the 31-year-old isn’t up for sale, the Serie A outfit are said to be open to hearing the Toffees’ offer, according to Corrieredellosport.
But any deal would only go ahead if the price is right and if Roma manage to find a replacement for the defender.
The Italian side signed Smalling for £18million from Manchester United last summer and will want to recoup the bulk of that.
Dellosport also claim another factor in the potential deal is if new Roma boss Jose Mourinho wants to off-load his defensive rock.
The pair have a good relationship which goes back to when they worked together at Manchester United when Mourinho was in charge.
Smalling revealed that Mourinho was behind his late winner as United staged a stunning 3-2 comeback win against rivals Manchester City in 2018.
The Red devils were behind 2-0 at half-time and Smalling said the 58-year-old’s words inspired their fight-back.
Since then, the ex-England international has been an invaluable part of the Roma set-up, featuring 54 times over his two seasons at the club – the first of which was on loan.
But his time there has been hampered with injuries which kept him sidelined for parts of last season.
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Smalling could be tempted with a move back to England after he fell victim to a ruthless armed robbery at his Italian home in April.
He was horrifically robbed at gunpoint in front of his wife and toddler son when three hooded men broke into his abode.
The ex-Fulham star was sleeping when the armed thugs broke in and forced him to open his safe.
He proceeded to hand over a Rolex and other items of jewellery before the men fled.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
