Normally, when a saga drags on as long as the Chris Smalling to AS Roma one has, there’s some excitement along the way.
Unfortunately for this particular one, it’s been rather dull, with a stalemate between the two clubs in place for what feels like 84 years.
As was reported on Tuesday, there were still some considerable differences in terms of price, with Roma’s offer standing at €12m, while Manchester United still want €20m.
That hasn’t changed overnight, and the apparent bid for Hellas Verona’s Marash Kumbulla hasn’t simplified things either.
This is why Corriere dello Sport on Wednesday explain the whole Smalling affair is now ‘on standby’, and is only likely to happen if the Serie A side can manage to place both Juan Jesus and Federico Fazio elsewhere to liberate wage space and funds.
It’s certainly not ideal for Manchester United, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or the Old Trafford faithful wanting this to be done, but that’s how life in the transfer market works sometimes.
More waiting ahead.
