Chris Smalling has agreed to join FC Porto as a free agent, according to transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano, with the former Manchester United and Roma defender undergoing a medical in Portugal.
The 36-year-old England international has been without a club since leaving Saudi Pro League side Al-Fayha. His arrival would give Francesco Farioli another option in central defence, where Porto's squad is currently short on numbers.
Porto had not officially confirmed the signing at the time of writing.
Portuguese outlets Maisfutebol, A Bola, O Jogo, and Record independently reported that Smalling was in Porto to complete the move. O Jogo, A Bola, and Record reported that he would sign a one-year contract with an option for a second season.
The move remains subject to Smalling completing his medical and the final formalities. Porto's official announcement is still pending.
Why Porto Needed a Centre-Back
Porto's defensive problems are linked to injuries and suspensions. O Jogo reported that Nehuén Pérez has a muscle injury in his right thigh and will be out for at least a month.
The Argentine returned from a long layoff earlier this season and played the full 90 minutes against Manchester City in the Champions League on 8 September. It was the only one of his six appearances this season in which he completed the match.
Farioli said Pérez had not fully recovered from the Manchester City match before suffering a significant injury in training.
Seko Fofana, a midfielder who has also played in defence, has suffered a muscle rupture. Jan Bednarek is serving the second game of a two-match UEFA suspension and will miss the Champions League trip to Real Betis on 14 October.
The suspension follows the Polish defender's red card against Nottingham Forest in last season's Europa League. Dominik Prpic has played for the B team and is reportedly not on Porto's UEFA list.
O Jogo said Jakub Kiwior is the only natural centre-back available for the Betis game. It has not been confirmed whether Smalling can be registered for European matches. Porto are the reigning champions and have won all seven league games this season.
They beat Benfica 3-1 at the Estádio do Dragão on 20 September to move five points clear. OneFootball, citing Portuguese media, compared Smalling's arrival with Porto's signing of experienced defender Thiago Silva last season.
Smalling's Career Since Leaving Old Trafford
Smalling made 323 appearances for Manchester United between 2010 and 2019, winning two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, the League Cup, and the Europa League.
He joined Roma in 2019 and helped the club win the Europa Conference League in the 2021-22 season. He signed for Al-Fayha in September 2024. He has 31 England caps and one goal, and played in the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016.
Smalling said in August that he wanted to keep playing.
"I know my body now better than when I was 26, and that's shown in the games I'm playing," he told BBC Sport.
He credited methods introduced by Sir Alex Ferguson at United, including Ryan Giggs's yoga sessions, with helping him maintain his fitness. If he passes his medical, Smalling will compete with Bednarek and Kiwior for a place in defence.
Porto's next league match is away to Marítimo on 10 October, four days before the Betis game.
