According to Corriere dello Sport, Everton are interested in signing AS Roma defender Chris Smalling.

What's the word?

The centre-back is currently on a season-long loan with the Serie A giants from Manchester United, and reports had previously indicated they were keen on making the move permanent in the summer.

However, Corriere dello Sport now claim that Roma's uncertainty over qualifying for the Champions League next season has thrown a potential move into doubt.

Watch Everton Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

The report adds Carlo Ancelotti's Everton, and Jose Mourinho's Tottenham are both "on the trail for the player" and that they "would also be willing to guarantee himwould also be willing to guarantee him a higher salary than he would receive at Rome. than he would receive at Rome".

Steer clear

Whilst Smalling appears to be enjoying an impressive revival at Roma this season, that shouldn't deflect from the fact United quite clearly didn't seem to fancy him enough to keep him last summer.

The Englishman is averaging 1.1 tackles and 2.2 interceptions per game in Serie A, with the latter stat good enough to place him fourth on the list in the league rankings. But whilst those are encouraging signs, the Toffees simply cannot forget that the 6 foot 4 man didn't set the world alight when he was plying his trade in the Premier League.

How much do you really know about the Farhad Moshiri era? Answer 25 simple questions below...

Indeed, United legend Roy Keane even remarked that he felt both him and Phil Jones had "gone backwards" back in 2014. And now at 30-years-old, the room for any significant improvement is minimal at best. Smalling is what he is, and Carlo Ancelotti is unlikely to transform him into a leading centre-half at the age that he is.

Speaking about United's Europa League triumph, then Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho even admitted that he joked with Smalling that "with these feet we are not going to play short" - a damning indictment of his inability to play out from the back, and something Gareth Southgate dropped him from the England squad for.

The Toffees would be better off targeting someone younger with greater scope for potential. The fact that Marcel Brands is even considering a summer swoop for the United loanee speaks volumes about the poor transfer planning at the club. The Dutchman desperately needs to change tack, and avoid going for a Premier League has-been.

Meanwhile, Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti has made a worrying claim.