Chris Smalling in advanced talks with league leaders Porto

Chris Smalling could be back in European football. Porto are in advanced talks to sign the 36-year-old defender, BBC Sport reported on 30 September.

Smalling is a free agent, a player without a club. He has been without a team since leaving Saudi Arabian side Al-Fayha in the summer. Talks with Porto are described as advanced, but a deal is not yet done. He was also linked with Rangers, but that move did not materialise.

Porto sit top of the Portuguese league. Francesco Farioli's team have won all seven of their opening league matches. That run has given them a five-point lead over Benfica in second place.

Europe has been tougher. Porto lost at home to Manchester City in their opening game in the Champions League, Europe's leading club competition. They will want to steady that campaign quickly. Extra depth at the back would help with domestic and European games coming thick and fast.

Smalling's career started at Maidstone. From there he moved through Fulham to Manchester United. At Old Trafford he won five major trophies, including two Premier League titles. He also earned 31 caps for England, 31 appearances for the national team.

He first joined Roma on loan from United in 2019 before making the switch permanent a year later on a four-year deal. Roma paid an initial 15 million euros, £13.6 million at the time, rising to 20 million euros with add-ons, BBC Sport reported. In 2022 he lifted the UEFA Conference League, Europe's third-tier club trophy, with Roma under Jose Mourinho.

What makes this stand out is the timing. Porto are setting the pace at home and regrouping in Europe. A free and experienced centre-back, a central defender, could slot in without a transfer fee.

For fans, this is a familiar name in a new place. Smalling has not played in Portugal before. If the deal gets over the line, he will join a side chasing the title and looking for a response in Europe.