Roma ask for second Man Utd fringe player as part of final Smalling bid

Roma are preparing their final offer to Manchester United for Chris Smalling – and could take another player as part of the deal.

Smalling spent a very successful season out on loan with Roma in 2019-20. He made 37 appearances in all competitions and scored three goals.

The defender has been keen to return to Italy ever since that loan deal expired, having admitted he was “gutted” not to be able to finish the Europa League campaign with the club.

However, the permanent transfer has not materialised as quickly as all the parties would have liked. Man Utd and Roma have struggled to find a compromise over Smalling’s price tag.

Now, though, there could be a breakthrough as the transfer deadline approaches. Roma are ready to make one final offer for Smalling, worth in the region of €15m.

That’s less than the €20m United wanted to receive, but it is also more than Roma wanted to pay.

The two clubs finally appear to be nearing a compromise, with a meeting taking place on Friday morning between Roma officials and Smalling’s intermediaries in an effort to conclude the deal.

 

Roma also want Fosu-Mensah

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano also reveals that Roma have asked for a second United player in a double operation.

The Serie A side had wanted Diogo Dalot on loan, but the Red Devils aren’t keen to send the Portuguese full-back out temporarily – much to the player’s disgruntlement. Therefore, Roma have asked for Timothy Fosu-Mensah instead.

The Dutch defender has found gametime hard to come by at United since graduating their academy in 2016. He spent the 2017-18 season on loan at Crystal Palace and the following campaign at Fulham, but only made six appearances in all competitions after his return to Old Trafford last season.

Fosu-Mensah is out of contract next summer after the club activated a one-year extension, so United need to come to a decision about his long-term future.

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