Chelsea Football Club could have signed Chris Smalling for free.

The 20-year-old defender will join Manchester United in the summer on a four-year deal, after the Reds beat competition from Arsenal to sign the Fulham star.

It is believed the champions will pay as much as £10million for Smalling, who could have been snapped up by Chelsea on a free when he was at Maidstone United.

"Chris was available on a free transfer because he was never under contract with us,” said Stones boss Alan Walker in the People. "A lot of clubs showed interest and Chelsea actually had him on trial.

“He played in a friendly match for them. But it was only Middlesbrough and Fulham who made offers to Chris and he chose Fulham.”

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