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Ex-England defender Smalling in talks with Porto

Veteran center-back Chris Smalling is currently engaged in discussions regarding a potential transfer to Porto, the current leaders of the Portuguese top flight. The thirty-six-year-old free agent has remained unattached since concluding his stint with Saudi Arabian side Al-Fayha during the recent summer transfer window, having previously been linked to Scottish club Rangers without a final agreement coming together.

Should the ongoing talks successfully conclude, the former England international would add another chapter to a nineteen-year professional journey that previously featured stops at Maidstone United, Fulham, Manchester United, and Roma.

Porto enters these discussions following a domestic start that includes seven consecutive victories, giving them a five-point buffer ahead of Benfica in the standings, despite a recent Champions League home defeat against Manchester City under manager Francesco Farioli. Throughout his career, Smalling has accumulated thirty-one caps for his country and collected five major trophies during his time at Old Trafford, alongside a Uefa Conference League title earned in Rome under the guidance of Jose Mourinho.

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