West Ham United keeping close tabs on Manchester United defender Chris Smalling

West Ham United are reportedly keeping close tabs on England international defender Chris Smalling, according to the Metro.

The Premier League side, who finished 13th in the English top-flight table last term, have been linked with a potential move for the Manchester United centre-half this summer.

The 28-year-old, who has 31 international caps for the Three Lions, scored four goals in 46 appearances in all competitions for The Red Devils last season.

Smalling, who arrived at Old Trafford back in January 2010 following his transfer from Fulham, has netted 17 times in 289 games overall for United.

However, the report suggests West Ham are monitoring the defender’s situation at The Theatre of Dreams, with United manager Jose Mourinho in the summer market for new defenders, meaning Smalling could be made surplus to requirements come the start of the 2018-19 campaign.

Manchester United’s Chris Smalling in action against Tottenham.

The centre-back missed out on England’s World Cup squad for this year’s finals in Russia.

Smalling is contracted at United until June 2019, and is valued at just £16.2m.

It is understood new West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini has been handed a £70m transfer budget for this summer’s window, and is aiming to sign two central defenders, with Smalling a potential target.

Manchester United have completed two summer transfers so far, bringing in right-back Diogo Dalot from FC Porto, and selling fellow defender Joe Riley to Bradford City.

Written by Dan Church Follow @DJChurch94