Transfer Centre

Chris Smalling 'pleading with Manchester United to let him leave'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 25 September 2020

Chris Smalling is reportedly pleading with Manchester United to let him join Roma permanently, but the Red Devils are standing firm on the defender's asking price.

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling is reportedly pleading with the Red Devils to allow him to join Roma on a permanent basis.

The England international enjoyed a stellar campaign on loan at the Serie A outfit last season, making 37 appearances across all competitions and registering three goals and two assists in the process.

Smalling has since returned to United following the end of his loan spell in Italy, with Roma reportedly struggling to agree a fee with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side, who value him at £18m.

According to the Daily Mail, Smalling is desperate to return to Roma permanently, and the 30-year-old has become frustrated after being frozen out in Manchester.

Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly all find themselves ahead of Smalling in the pecking order at Old Trafford, although United are understood to be eyeing further defensive reinforcements such as Kalidou Koulibaly and Dayot Upamecano.

Given the need to raise a substantial amount of funds for further transfer business, United are supposedly not willing to let Smalling leave on the cheap despite his seemingly bleak future under Solskjaer.