The Italian press continue to be pessimistic about AS Roma’s chances of signing Chris Smalling on a permanent transfer in the next summer window.
Taking the defender on loan for the current season, it’s been made clear repeatedly that Roma would like to keep Smalling beyond the end of his loan from Manchester United.
Last week, the Serie A club’s manager Paulo Fonseca spoke of how highly he thinks of Smalling as both a man and a footballer, and reiterated his desire for a permanent transfer.
Interest from elsewhere is thought to be causing trouble for Roma, with it being claimed repeatedly that several Premier League clubs are interested.
Manchester United want to ‘monetise’ from the potential transfer. That of course means they want to make as much money as possible if they sell Smalling this summer.
Such a stance is completely sensible, but it’s making things ‘increasingly hard’ for Roma.
Liverpool’s Dejan Lovren is again presented as a possible alternative, although there’s nothing strong put forward about that.
