Another day, another update on the Chris Smalling situation in Italy, as the Englishman’s future continues to be a hot topic these days.
Roma have made it clear they would like to make the deal permanent if they can, and the player has expressed his enjoyment with the loan so far, so all the boxes keep being ticked in that regard.
However, the biggest issue is the money Manchester United are going to ask for their player, as they know his stock is rising nicely.
There is no option in the loan to make the move permanent, meaning any negotiations for a transfer would have to be started afresh, and Corriere dello Sport reckon they have the details.
A few days ago, Gazzetta dello Sport believed United valued their man at around €15-20m, and their counterpart’s information falls within those parameters.
But, and it’s a big one, the Serie A side aren’t prepared to go that high.
Corriere explain Gianluca Petrachi, the club’s director of football, is ready to put forward an ‘enticing’ offer of €12m + €3m in bonus.
That’s a potential €15m (quicks maths, we know), which isn’t bad when you consider Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s didn’t have major plans for the 29-year-old in the first place.
On top of this, Roma would offer Smalling a four-year contract to keep him at the club until 2024.
Whether all this is enough, however, remains to be seen.
