Corriere dello Sport believe Chris Smalling is very close to becoming an AS Roma player on a long term basis, and that the rough details of a deal are being agreed.
In their Sunday edition, the Italian newspaper states the defender is ‘one step away’ from a transfer which would become a permanent deal. The outlines of the transfer would see Smalling leave Manchester United on loan again for a season, with Roma paying €3m for that period, they would then be obliged to make the move permanent in summer 2021.
As for the transfer fee, that ‘dances’ between €12m and €15m, with agreement likely to be found somewhere in the middle.
Corriere dello Sport believe it’s a financially risky transfer for Roma. Smalling is 30 years of age, and there’s not a good chance of any sell-on further down the line. Despite that, the club are eager to buy the Manchester United player because they feel his sporting contribution outweighs the worry over the finances.
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Smalling is said to have spoken with Gareth Southgate, who convinced him that staying at Roma would be good for his England prospects.