Manchester United’s Chris Smalling has impressed during his loan spell at AS Roma this season and it’s convinced the Serie A side to try to make his stay permanent.
On February 6th, Gazzetta dello Sport explained the centre-back would cost ‘no less than €18m’ and that Champions League football is necessary to complete the transfer.
Calciomercato also has a similar slant and in their report they explain Roma sporting director Gianluca Petrachi has repeatedly expressed his side’s intention is to negotiate a deal with the Red Devils.
With Smalling shining for the Italian side, Manchester United have no plans to give any discounts and the report adds the former Fulham man’s asking price has ‘increased to no less than €20m’. In addition to this, he will earn €3.5m per year in wages.
Roma can’t easily afford it, and qualifying for Europe’s elite club competition will help them get more funds.
Without Champions League football, the transfer ‘is in doubt’ and Calciomercato also adds ‘redemption of Smalling is likely to go away’.
Roma are fifth in the table with 39 points, level on points with fourth placed Atalanta and 11 points behind third placed Lazio.
