Roma are about to sign Manchester United defender Chris Smalling on an imminent season-long loan deal after an agreement was reached between the Red Devils and Italian side.
Smalling was set for a season on the fringes at Old Trafford, after Harry Maguire joined in an £80m deal, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's preferred central defensive partnership being the former Leicester man and Victor Lindelof.
Chris Smalling to AS Roma from Man United, here we go! Total agreement for a simple loan (€3M to Man Utd) without buy option. The player has accepted. 🔴 #MUFC #Roma #transfers
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 29, 2019
It seems as if that uncertainty has been pounced on by the Serie A outfit, with Sky Italia journalist Fabrizio Romano claiming the Giallorossi have a 'total agreement' for the 29-year-old to join on a season-long loan with no option to buy - after seeing efforts to land Tottenham's Toby Alderweireld and Liverpool's Dejan Lovren fail to materialise this sumner.
With the European deadline set to slam shut on Monday, Roma acted quick to land the Englishman, who has not featured in any of United's three match day squads in the Premier League this season.
Although it has become clear that Smalling doesn't feature in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's plans, the Norwegian already blocked the player leaving this summer as Everton attempted to bring the centre half to Merseyside.
It was thought United didn't want to sell to a direct rival, with both clubs challenging for a European slot this Premier League season. However, with little to no chance of first-team football this season, then the move would surely benefit the player and United, as Roma don't fall under the category of direct rival.
Currently under contract until 2022, Smalling will return to Old Trafford next summer, after embarking on his first foray into foreign league football with the Rome-based outfit.
The London-born defender has been with United since 2010, after joining on a £7m deal from the Cottagers. During that time, Smalling has played 323 matches for the Red Devils, scoring 18 goals, and lifting two Premier League titles alongside three other major honours.
Source : 90min