Manchester United defender Smalling wants permanent Roma move

 

Chris Smalling is thriving on loan at Roma this season and is open to a permanent transfer away from Manchester United this summer, claims the Manchester Evening News.

 

Smalling completed a surprise loan move to Roma last summer after dropping down the pecking order under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

 

United signed Harry Maguire in a world record deal for a defender in the summer and Smalling secured a move to Roma for regular playing time.

 

The former England international was initially adamant he wanted to return to Old Trafford at the end of the season and fight for his place at United.

 

However, Smalling has been a roaring success in Serie A and has even been nicknamed 'Smaldini' after AC Milan's legendary defender Paulo Maldini.

 

 

Roma want to make Smalling's transfer permanent at the end of the season and now the 30-year-old is also considering a long-term future at the club.

 

Smalling is the top WhoScored rated centre-back in Serie A this season (7.18) and the third in Europe's top five leagues.