Chris Smalling: Highly-rated youngster has
attracted the attention of the Premier League's big guns.
Manchester United have agreed terms to sign
defender Chris
Smalling from Fulham but his new club have
confirmed he will only play for them from the start of the 2010-11
season.
A club spokesperson told United's official website: "Manchester
United has agreed terms for the transfer of Chris Smalling from
Fulham.
"Chris has agreed personal terms with the club and will join for
the beginning of the 2010-2011 campaign. He will remain at Fulham
until the end of the current season."
Smalling, who impressed on his Premier League debut against
Chelsea last month, has only two league appearances under his belt
but has played four times in the Europa League for the Cottagers
this season. He will now have the chance to gain further experience
with Fulham this season, under the terms of the agreement struck
between the clubs.
Arsenal had been heavily linked with the England Under-21
international, but United made the first and decisive move.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had stated that he has also made an
offer for Smalling and maintained that until the ink was dry, no
deal could be considered done. The Frenchman will now need to cast
his eyes elsewhere in his hunt for a reserve to Thomas Vermaelen
and William Gallas.
It is believed a fee in the region of £8 million has prised the
talented centre-back away from Craven Cottage and should he sign
for United, he would bolster Sir Alex
Ferguson's defensive options, though many would observe that
his signing opens the way for the mooted departures of Nemanja
Vidic and Rio Ferdinand. Smalling's playing style more resembles
the Englishman than the hard-bitten Serb.
Smalling, 21, previously played for Maidstone United and was
plying his trade in the Ryman Premier League - the seventh tier of
the English football pyramid - only two years ago.
