Manchester United have rejected an approach from Everton for defender Chris Smalling, who is set to stay at Old Trafford beyond Thursday's transfer deadline.
Smalling was the subject of a loan offer from Everton, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wishes to keep the 29-year-old at United for the forthcoming campaign.
United have a surplus of centre-halves following the £80m arrival from Harry Maguire from Leicester City earlier this week.
But Smalling, who signed a new Old Trafford contract running until 2022 last December, is considered to be one of Solskjaer's key defenders alongside Maguire and Victor Lindelof.
Smalling's fellow centre-back Phil Jones also signed renewed terms earlier this year, extending his stay until 2023.
Marcos Rojo, academy product Axel Tuanzebe and the injured Eric Bailly make up the remaining centre-halves on United's books.
Everton are in the market for reinforcements at the back following the loss of Kurt Zouma, who returned to parent club Chelsea, and Phil Jagielka's move to Sheffield United.
