Smalling slipping for Roma?

By Football Italia staff

Roma’s recent results might reportedly halter the chances of a permanent move for Manchester United loanee Chris Smalling.

The Corriere dello Sport writes that the Giallorossi will struggle to keep the English defender without a place in the Champions League next year.

The overall price tag to keep the 30-year-old at the Olimpico might prove to costly for the Italian side, as his salary and the transfer fee combined could rise to €40m.

The newspaper claims that United director Ed Woodward has increased the transfer fee from €18m to €20m to let the player move on a permanent transfer and the defender’s performances at the Giallorossi might help boost it even further.

Despite the report stating that Smalling could be willing to take a pay cut of €300,000 a year, he would most likely ask for a longer contract than the one he is currently under at Old Trafford until June 2022.

To complicate the matter even more for the Giallorossi, the Roma based outlet has reported that both Everton and Tottenham are showing interest in the centre-half, something that would guarantee him of a higher salary and the transfer fee of €20m shouldn’t create any problems for the two Premier League sides.

Roma are still fighting for a place in the Champions League, but after the 2-1 defeat to Atalanta on Saturday, they are currently six points behind fourth-placed Dea.

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