Everton have had a bid to sign Chris Smalling on a season-long loan deal rejected by Manchester United, claims The Independent.
The Merseysiders want to sign a new centre-back before Thursday’s transfer deadline having lost Kurt Zouma and Phil Jagielka at the start of the window.
Everton have been linked with moves for Chelsea duo David Luiz and Fikayo Tomori but it has now emerged the Toffees have approached United about Smalling.
United currently have seven centre-backs at the club following Harry Maguire’s £80m arrival from Leicester earlier this week.
Ole Gunnar Solskjae hopes to sell at least one centre-back this summer but has rejected the chance to offload Smalling.
The 29-year-old only signed a new long-term deal in December and he remains an important part of Solskjaer’s plans despite Maguire’s arrival.
United instead want to sell Marcos Rojo and will listen to offers even after the transfer window for English clubs shuts on Thursday.
Smalling has started at least 20 league games in five of the last six Premier League campaigns having struggled to stay fit for prolonged periods during his first few years at Old Trafford.
