Some new transfer claims have emerged from The Chronicle’s Lee Ryder this afternoon, and they feature a forgotten Man Utd centre-back who’s been ‘offered’ to Steve Bruce and a potential move to France for Florian Lejeune.
Ryder reports that we are one of several top flight clubs who’ve been offered to chance to sign Manchester Utd outcast Chris Smalling after Roma opted against a permanent deal following a loan spell in Italy.
With Schar, Fernandez and Clark all entering the final 12 months of their current deals, Bruce is said to be considering his options at the back, however a deal for Smalling seems highly unlikely for a whole host of reasons.
Not only are Man Utd said to be demanding decent money, he currently earns a reported £130,000-per-week at Old Trafford and is also 30 years old, making this a proposal we seem likely to ignore unless a loan deal is on offer.
Elsewhere, The Chronicle report that Newcastle have received interest from Ligue 1 over injury-ravaged centre-back Florian Lejeune.
The Frenchman impressed in his first season at St James’ Park following a £8.7m move from Eibar, but TWO serious knee ligament injuries in as many years have seen him slip down the pecking order.
An injury picked up over lockdown also meant he didn’t feature in any of our final 9 games of the season, so it would be no real surprise if he is reluctantly moved on this summer.
A classy player who was forming a formidable partnership with Jamaal Lascelles a few seasons ago, but Bruce may look to cash in if he feels recent ACL injuries has taken its toll on the 6ft 3′ centre-back.
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