Porto in advanced talks to sign former Manchester United defender Chris Smalling

Porto move nears for 36-year-old centre-back

Former Manchester United and England defender Chris Smalling is in talks with Portuguese league leaders Porto, with negotiations said to be at an advanced stage.

Smalling has been without a club since leaving Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Fayha in the summer. The 36-year-old was linked with a move to Rangers, but that deal did not materialise.

While a deal with Porto is not yet completed, sources say discussions are progressing. Porto have won all seven league games this season and already hold a five-point advantage over second-placed Benfica. Francesco Farioli’s side were beaten at home by Manchester City in their opening Champions League game.

Career in brief

Smalling is keen to extend a 19-year professional career that began at non-league Maidstone. The centre-back went on to play for Fulham, Manchester United — where he won five major trophies, including two Premier League titles — and Roma, where he won the Uefa Conference League under Jose Mourinho in 2022.

He also earned 31 England caps during his international career. Smalling has played his club football outside of England since 2020.