Report: Spurs may have received a boost in reported interest in defender

Tottenham may have just received a boost in their quest to sign Chris Smalling after reports in Italy claim that Roma are set to pull out of the race for the defender.

Smalling has had a new lease of life during his loan spell at Roma this season and his performances in the Serie A have not gone unnoticed by England manager Gareth Southgate (Guardian).

Tottenham are one of the clubs who have been tipped to move for the defender in the summer (Corriere Dello Sport via The Express) with Jose Mourinho reportedly keen on reuniting with the centre-back he managed during his time at Old Trafford.

Italian newspaper Leggo reported last month that Spurs have already ‘taken a few steps’ to bring the 30-year-old to North London in the summer.

Roma manager, Paulo Fonseca admitted at the start of the month that he would like to sign the England international on a permanent basis (A Bola via Football.London).

However, Calcio Mercato now reports that the Serie A side has pulled out of the race for Smalling as they are unable to meet Manchester United’s £22 million asking price.

It is claimed that Roma are looking for alternatives to Smalling and Jan Vertonghen, who will be out of contract in the summer is one of the options which they are said to be examining.

Spurs Web Opinion

If United are willing to sell Smalling for just £22 million, there is no doubt that there is great value in that deal. However, Smalling has shown over the years that he is a bit error-prone and so I don’t believe he is the right man to fix our defensive issues.

I would rather the club signed a young, up and coming defender like Upamecano but I wouldn’t be surprised if Jose opts to go for a more experienced option to replace Vertonghen.

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