Report clarifies truth about Roma efforts to seal permanent Smalling deal
Roma have in fact not submitted any bids to make Chris Smalling’s move from Manchester United permanent, according to a report.
Smalling is on loan at the Serie A club for the season, having fallen out of favour at Old Trafford under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer due to the arrival of Harry Maguire from Leicester in the summer.
Recent reports from Italy had suggested that United turned down an initial £10m bid for the defender, which also included £2.5m in add-ons.
According to Sky Sports, however, such claims are untrue and Roma are yet to make any official bids for Smalling or firm up their interest in extending the 29-year-old’s stay in any other way.
Smalling has enjoyed a strong start to life with Roma, scoring in a 4-0 win over Udinese and playing a crucial part in his team’s 2-1 victory over Roma.
Furthermore, the centre-back picked up the Man of the Match award in a 1-0 defeat of Lecce at the end of September.
Smalling made 323 appearances for United before his move to Roma, scoring 18 goals and assisting four others in that time.
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