Manchester United could reportedly receive an €18 million windfall from the sale of Chris Smalling, with AS Roma keen on signing him on a permanent deal.
According to a report by Italian publication Corriere dello Sport, AS Roma are interested in signing Chris Smalling on a permanent deal in next summer’s transfer window. The Giallorossi offered €10 million to secure the signature of the English defender, but Manchester United want €18 million in exchange for his services.
Smalling joined Manchester United over a decade ago and had since been one of the most paradoxical figures at the club. Over his stint with the Red Devils, the player has impressed in phases, with his inconsistencies leaving a lot to be desired.
Constantly in and out of the side for the duration of his stay at Old Trafford, the summer saw him being linked with a move away from Manchester United following the arrival of Harry Maguire. Towards the end of the window, the links with AS Roma emerged. And, the Serie A heavyweights finally signed him on a season-long loan deal back in August.
Since making his debut for Roma, Smalling has gone on to become an indispensable figure at Stadio Olimpico. In his six Serie A outings, the Englishman boasts a perfect tackle success rate and has not been dribbled past even once. The 29-year-old has also helped the Giallorossi to keep three clean sheets in the process.
In such a short span of time, Smalling has left manager Paulo Fonseca to such an extent that Roma are ready to sanction a permanent deal for him. To that end, the Italian giants have established contacts with the player’s agent and Manchester United are ready to offer €10 million to swoop him away from the Red Devils.
Manchester United, though, do not deem the offer to be acceptable and have placed an €18 million price tag on the loaned-out star. Sporting Director Gianluca Petrachi is in negotiation with United, as per the report, but Roma are only willing to go up to €15 million to land him at present.
Roma, though, are on the verge of reaching an agreement with the player, who is also open to the idea of joining the club on a permanent basis, which is a big step forward for them. It now remains to be seen if they are ready to meet Manchester United’s €18 million valuation of Smalling, or if they are able to negotiate a lower fee instead.
