West Brom set to launch £10million bid for Manchester United defender Chris Smalling, say reports
England man has slipped down Jose Mourinho's pecking order with Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly set to be paired together
WEST BROM are set to launch a £10million bid for Manchester United defender Chris Smalling, according to reports.
The England man, 27, has slipped down the pecking order under Jose Mourinho, with Victor Lindelof set to be paired with Eric Bailly in the heart of defence.
Tony Pulis' Baggies are in pole position to land the former Fulham centre-back.
Once West Brom return from their stint in Hong Kong at the Premier League Asia Trophy, the club are set to launch an official bid.
Hawthorns chief Pulis is keen to partner Smalling with former team-mate at United Jonny Evans in his back-four.
However, he is aware he'll need to move quickly with a host of Premier League clubs interested.
As well as West Brom, Leicester, Crystal Palace and Stoke are all keen on the 31-cap England international.
Pulis has been keen to add to his centre-back ranks all summer having already missed out on former Chelsea captain John Terry.
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JT ended up moving to Aston Villa, where he has already established himself as a fan-favourite.
West Brom had also hoped they'd be in with a chance of another Chelsea man, Kurt Zouma.
However, he was brought in on loan by Mark Hughes' Stoke earlier this week.
Smalling has been at United since 2010, turning out 153 times in the Premier League, scoring seven times.