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According to The Sun, Everton want to sign Manchester United defender Chris Smalling at the end of the current season.

What's the story?

Smalling has made over 300 appearances for United since a 2010 move from Fulham, and has been a regular for Jose Mourinho's side this season.

Smalling was actually left out of United's first two Premier League matches of the 2018-19 campaign against Leicester City and Brighton & Hove Albion, but has played the full 90 minutes in every game since.

The Englishman will see his current contract with the Red Devils expire at the end of the season, however, and his future with the club is far from secure.

United do have a 12-month option on Smalling's contract, but according to The Sun, Everton are hoping to convince the former Maidstone United youngster to move to Goodison Park ahead of the 2019-2020 campaign.

Would Smalling be a good signing?

Smalling gets a lot of stick, and there is no getting away from the fact that the 31-time England international is not too great in possession of the ball.

He is actually a very good defender, however, and played a key role in United posting the second-best defensive record in the Premier League last season.

United have been pretty rotten at the back this term, but that is more of a team issue rather than an individual one, and Smalling has still been quite consistent.

Alongside Yerry Mina and Michael Keane, Smalling could bring about a change in formation at Everton, and not too many centre-forwards would relish the aerial battle against those three.

Smalling has won two Premier League titles at United, and is a better player than he gets credit for. Everton are quite well-stocked in central defence at the moment, but should not pass up the chance to move for the 6ft 4in ace.