Roma have agreed personal terms with Manchester United misfit Chris Smalling, as reported in Italy.
Smalling exceeded expectations during an exceptional loan spell at the Stadio Olimpico last season and the 30-year-old is looking forward to returning ahead of the 2020/21 season.
The England international was deemed in excess of the requirements at United 12 months ago after Harry Maguire arrived with a world record move – and the Premier League giants aimed to sign Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano this summer.
Second Gianluca Di Marzio, Smalling wants to leave United and has agreed to sign a one-year contract with Roma.
The report claims and the Serie A giants are increasingly confident of striking a deal with the Red Devils.
Discussions between the two clubs are now expected to accelerate and the next few days could be decisive in determining what the future holds for Smalling, which is tied to a deal at Old Trafford until 2022.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer left the door open for Smalling’s possible return and was in close contact with the midfielder during his impressive loan spell in Italy.
“I think Chris has shown during his Man United career how valuable he is to Man United,” the Norwegian said at a press conference last month.
And this season it has been a starting player for him, going to Roma, showing and demonstrating how good a central defender is.
‘I wanted to give Harry, Vic [Victor Lindelof] and perhaps Axel [Tuanzebe] one occasion and so we discovered that it was the best thing for him to go to Roma, to play for a year.
‘Now he’s coming back and Chris has shown this season that he will be valuable.
“I talked to Chris the whole time and was happy with his season.”
Having struck a £ 40m deal for Ajax’s Donny van de Beek, United have turned their attention to Upamecano’s signing to compensate for Maguire’s lack of mobility at the heart of their defense.
Last week, the 21-year-old Frenchman confirmed that he had spoken to interested clubs about a potential move this summer, despite having only recently signed a new deal with Leipzig.
“I extended my contract with Leipzig because I feel good with my teammates,” he said.
‘My coach is trusting me. He is learning too, but he gives me confidence and improves my level.
‘I have been in Leipzig for more than three years, I feel good.
‘I’ve been in demand, I’ve talked to some clubs, it’s true, but I’m in no hurry.
“We’ll see what happens in the future.”
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