It’s been a bit quieter on the Chris Smalling front lately, mostly because AS Roma have been dealing with other players.
For example, the sale of Patrik Schick to Bayer Leverkusen had taken centre stage, as the club are set to bring in around €29m from the Czech Republic international’s exit.
Some of this money can then, in turn, be used to convince Manchester United to let their defender go and grant the player’s wish of a return to Rome after a successful loan spell there.
However, the price continues to be an issue, with the latest offer from CEO Guido Fienga being €12m + bonuses bid ‘without even going through a loan’ in order to get him immediately.
That’s when Corriere dello Sport state ‘the feeling is that the meeting point will be around €15m + bonuses’.
That’s seen as an ‘important figure’ for a player who will be turning 31 in November and only has a limited number of years to offer going forward.
This shows how badly Paulo Fonseca wants him and how willing Dan Friedkin and co. are prepared to please their manager after taking over from James Pallotta.
