AS Roma were chasing Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld and Liverpool’s Dejan Lovren for most part of the summer transfer window, but they ended their interest in the Croatian after he reportedly demanded €1m signing on fee.
The Serie A side ended up strengthening their squad by adding Manchester United defender Chris Smalling and he arrived on a loan deal in the final week of the European transfer window.
He lost his place at Old Trafford following the arrival of Harry Maguire from Leicester City. The former Fulham man was not willing to be a bit part player for the Red Devils, which is why he decided to move to the Italian capital.
Agent Giulio Meozzi was one of the intermediaries who worked on getting the 29-year-old to Roma.
Italian website TuttoMercatoWeb interviewed Meozzi and he was in full praise of Smalling after he sealed a move to Stadio Olimpico.
“An important transfer. There is a possibility of making a dry loan, with the option to keep for next year and that depends on his performances,” he explained.
“Roma has done good business and has also been able to sell well. Smalling was an important operation just as that of Zappacosta.”
Smalling may find it difficult to earn a place back at United, especially when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has several options in the centre-back position, so perhaps his future is now in Rome.
We’ll have to wait and see.
