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Stop us if you heard this one before: Manchester United are reportedly in talks to sell Chris Smalling to AS Roma on a permanent deal.
It seems like the Smalling to Roma saga has been going on since the season resumed but according to Sports Illustrated, talks between the two teams have intensified recently and the on-loan United defender is close to a €12 million (£11m/$14m) offer to stay in Italy full-time.
After finding his career again while at Roma, Smalling has not been quiet about his desire to stay in the Italian capital and Roma have said on multiple times they want him to stay as well.
Roma failed to agree on a deal with Manchester United over a permanent transfer deal before the original loan agreement expired but it appears that a deal might be happening soon.
The agreement between AS Roma and Manchester United for Chris Smalling is now getting closer. Smalling wants to come back. @SkySport #Roma #MUFC #ManUtd
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 2, 2020
Despite Roma’s initial resistance to paying the price that Manchester United quoted them, said to be in the region of £12-16m, Smalling is set to earn roughly £8m over a three-year contract.