Italian Serie A side AS Roma have upped their efforts to sign Manchester United defender Chris Smalling on a permanent deal.
The 30-year-old was shipped out on loan to Roma last summer after the arrival of Harry Maguire from Leicester City.
In 28 league appearances for the club, Smalling has managed to impressed the board at the club as they have made efforts to make his stay in Italy a permanent one.
The England international’s career at Old Trafford seem to be coming to an end with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said to be targeting other options to pursue in the summer.
Ashley Young, Alexis Sanchez, Romelu Lukaku and Marcos Rojo have been allowed to leave the English side together with Smalling.
Corriere dello Sport reports that breakthrough in negotiations was reached between Roma and Manchester United over the weekend, regarding potential Smalling’s move to Italian capital.
It is said that the Red Devils would be willing guarantee loan move for Smalling to Roma for another season for a reported fee of £2.7 million, a deal which will include the obligation to buy the defender permanently in the summer of 2021.
Roma are set to be hit financially by the coronavirus pandemic and United are happy to help them with a way through.
In a recent interview with The Times, the centre-back to have adapted very well to life in Italy as he claimed he had always been keen on a move to play abroad.
“Some English players have gone abroad but not many,” he said. “It was a challenge that I wanted to take. I’m someone who definitely lives by not having any regrets. I like new things maybe out of my comfort zone and show people that anything is possible. I obviously enjoy my football, I enjoy my life and I try to maximise all of that.”
The league season in Italy is set to return on June 20 as clubs look forward to completing the 2019/20 campaign.
