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Arsenal in talks with Man Utd over signing defender as Wenger eyes 2nd Swoop on rivals

By on January 22, 2018

According to the Gambling Times, Arsenal have held preliminary talks with Manchester United about signing Chris Smalling as Arsene Wenger looks to add a defender to his ranks this month.

We announced this evening that Henrikh Mkhitaryan has completed his move to Arsenal as part of a swap deal that saw Alexis Sanchez head in the opposite direction.

However, it seems Wenger is already eyeing a second swoop on Old Trafford as the Gambling Times claim that Arsenal have lodged an enquiry with United about signing Smalling.

Wenger is a long-term fan of the centre-backs as we tried to sign him when he left Fulham in 2010 and we’ve been linked with a move for him several times over the past few years.

The boss is on the look-out for another defender as Laurent Koscielny is plagued by an Achilles injury, Per Mertesacker is set to retire this summer while neither Claum Chambers nor Rob Holding has convinced on a consistent basis.

Jonny Evans has been strongly linked but the Gambling Times suggest Wenger is now focussed on Smalling as Evans is expected to join Man City this month.

The report says we’ve already asked United about Smalling’s availability and could return with a firm offer now that the Mkhitaryan/Sanchez saga is finally over.

PHOTOS: Check out Henrikh Mkhitaryan in an Arsenal shirt

United are reportedly open to the idea of selling as Smalling isn’t in Mourinho’s first team plans but concerns over the fitness of Eric Bailly mean they are unlikely to sell this month.

Personally, I’d be glad if United refused to do business with us as I’m not a Smalling fan. He has shown glimpses of his potential but he’s not the kind of reliable centre-back we desperately need right now.

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