Arsenal fans in the Football Transfer Tavern are shocked to hear in the Daily Mirror that Arsene Wenger is plotting a £12 million bid for Manchester United defender Chris Smalling.
The young defender has picked up a lot of criticism during his time at United but punters believe sometimes it is unfair.
Wenger seems to be looking beyond his reputation at Old Trafford and is focusing on the potential of the 25-year-old, having been a long-term admirer.
He was keen to snap him up during Smalling’s Fulham days but missed out on him to Sir Alex Ferguson.
But with a lot of defensive reinforcements expected at United in the summer, Wenger will hope he can capitalise on the expected turn around of players.
Also if Louis van Gaal does bring in world class defenders, then Smalling will inevitably drop down in the pecking order, meaning the young Englishman may push a move through to the Emirates.
