Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti is prioritising a deal for Manchester United defender Chris Smalling.

Corriere dello Sport says Ancelotti is plotting a summer transfer bid for Smalling.

The centre-back has impressed during a loan spell away from Old Trafford with Italian club Roma and is attracting interest from Everton and Premier League rivals Tottenham.

If Roma fail to qualify for next season's Champions League then it will be impossible for them to afford making the 30-year-old's deal at the club permanent.

Ancelotti rates Smalling highly and is keen to make the centre-back his first summer signing at Goodison Park.

United chief Ed Woodward was set to allow Smalling to leave Old Trafford for £15million but has seen the centre-back's impressive performances as reason to increase his valuation to closer to £20million.