Ex-England defender Smalling in talks with Porto

Chris Smalling smilesImage source, Getty Images
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Chris Smalling has played his club football outside of England since 2020

By
Chief football news reporter
  • Published

Former Manchester United and England defender Chris Smalling is in talks with Portuguese league leaders Porto.

He has been without a club since leaving Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Fayha in the summer.

The 36-year-old was linked with a move to Rangers but that did not materialise.

However, while a deal with Porto is not yet completed, negotiations are said to be at an advanced stage.

Porto have won all seven league games this season and already have a five-point advantage over second-placed Benfica.

Francesco Farioli's side were beaten at home by Manchester City in their opening Champions League game.

Smalling is keen to extend a 19-year professional career that began at non-league Maidstone, with the centre-back going on to play for Fulham, Manchester United - where he won five major trophies, including two Premier League titles - and Roma, where he won the Uefa Conference League under Jose Mourinho in 2022.

He also won 31 England caps.