Arsenal to pay £25m for Manchester United defender?

Arsenal could reportedly make a formal bid to sign Chris Smalling from Manchester United during this summer's transfer window.

The 30-year-old fell out-of-favour under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the start of the season and he was permitted to join AS Roma on a season-long loan.

During this time in Italy, Smalling has impressed in his 28 appearances and there have been suggestions that the Giallorossi may propose to sign him on a permanent basis this summer.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Serie A outfit are keen on landing the Englishman on a long-term deal but they may struggle to meet the £25m price tag without Champions League football.

It is added that the Gunners are one of the clubs keeping an eye on the player's situation and they could be prepared to meet the valuation for the former Fulham graduate.

Smalling was previously on the radar of the Gunners in the summer of 2015 but the approach was turned down by United under the recommendation of ex-boss Louis van Gaal.