Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has been offered to Newcastle United and a clutch of other top-flight sides after Serie A outfit AS Roma spluttered over his £20million asking price.
The England international spent last term on loan in Italy but has returned to Old Trafford this summer.
It is believed that Newcastle ran the rule over Smalling last season, but whether the chance to sign him in a transfer window that has financial limitations proves a temptation for United remains to be seen.
Smalling, who Fulham are keen on signing, is unlikely to stay at Man United as he would be down the pecking order despite having a good rapport with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Roma's reluctance to meet the asking price for Smalling could now open the door for Premier League sides and while he is currently on a £130,000 per week salary he may be prepared to drop his demands if the right club and right length of contract came his way.
It remains to be seen whether a loan deal with a view to a permanent transfer for the 30-year-old also becomes a possibility.
Newcastle have skipper Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark, Fabian Schar, Federico Fernandez and Florian Lejeune in the centre-back department.
It is believed that Lejeune has been the subject of interest in Ligue 1 this summer while Lascelles and Schar are struggling to be fit for the big kick off after injuries suffered during the hectic run-in last term after lockdown.
Fernandez, Schar and Clark are all out of contract in less than 12 months meaning Steve Bruce is looking at all of his options when it comes to defenders.
