Chris Smalling (right) came close to joining Arsenal in 2010 (Picture: Getty Images)

Arsenal are reportedly considering launching a move for Manchester United central defender Chris Smalling in January.

The Gunners were believed to have enquired about signing the 24-year-old as part of a swap deal involving Thomas Vermaelen during the summer, but The Red Devils refused to sell the centre-back before Vermaelen went on to finalise a move to Barcelona.

But with Mathieu Debuchy being ruled out of action for anything up to three months through injury, Arsene Wenger is now preparing to bolster his defensive options by trying to recruit Smalling during the winter, according to The Mail.

It is believed that Arsenal will only table a formal bid if United boss Louis van Gaal signs more defenders in January, although it remains to be seen whether the Old Trafford outfit will sell to The Gunners after allowing Danny Welbeck to move to north London on transfer deadline day.

Smalling himself came close to signing for The Gunners from Fulham in 2010, but instead chose to move to United after then-manager Sir Alex Ferguson convinced the defender of the transfer.

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