Smalling close to permanent Roma deal

According to a recent report from Corriere dello Sport, Chris Smalling is now one step away from completing a permanent move to Roma from Manchester United for a fee of around €15 million.

It has been reported that positive talks have been held over the weekend between the two parties, with Smalling having enjoyed a successful loan spell in Italy thus far. While some United fans would much rather see Smalling return to Old Trafford in an attempt to win his place back in the starting XI, it just doesn’t feel like that’s going to be on the cards now.

Smalling has been able to reinvent himself in an entirely new light with Roma, and when push comes to shove, it has to be recognised that the same could not be said for his tenure with the English giants.

At this stage in proceedings, it seems like a case of when and not if.