Manchester United in talks with Smalling over bumper new deal
Manchester United have opened talks with Chris Smalling about a new £120,000-a-week contract, claims The Daily Mail.
Smalling’s current contract is due to expire at the end of the season, though United have an option to extend his stay by a further 12 months.
Jose Mourinho is keen to overhaul United’s defensive options over the next two windows but wants to prolong Smalling’s stay at the club.
Only Paul Pogba (8.536) has featured in more minutes than Smalling (7,758) of any United outfielders since Mourinho was appointed United boss.
Most minutes played under Mourinho at United:
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) November 22, 2018
1. D. De Gea - 9,630 across 107 apps
2. P. Pogba - 8,536 across 103 apps
3. C. Smalling - 7,758 across 95 apps
4. A. Valencia - 7,644 across 87 apps
5. M. Rashford - 6,458 across 117 apps
Full player stats -- https://t.co/ap15KcRJCo pic.twitter.com/6eIvNss9TP
The futures of Phil Jones, Eric Bailly and Marcos Rojo is less clear-cut but Mourinho is pushing for the club to extend Smalling’s current £80,000-a-week deal.
Everton are monitoring Smalling’s future at Old Trafford but it is thought the England international’s preference would be to join another Champions League side if he leaves United.
Smalling is currently one of Mourinho’s first choice centre-backs along with Victor Lindelof but United’s decision to entertain a new deal for the former will likely not sit well with supporters.
