Earlier in the week, we covered a story from the usually reliable Gianluca di Marzio, who claimed that AS Roma were working on a deal to sign Chris Smalling permanently.
Well yesterday, the Daily Star gave us another update on the brewing saga, claiming that United have rejected a £13million bid for the 29-year-old centre-back.
The Italian outfit are understandably keen to acquire the Englishman on a permanent deal, hoping that their bid would have been enough to persuade United into cashing in.
However, the story claims that United and Edward Woodward are holding out for a figure closer to £17million – particularly as the Reds now know that both Milan clubs are also keen on Smalling following his impressive start to life in Serie A.
Apparently representatives from both clubs spoke at length yesterday, with United officials making it clear what sort of fee Roma will need to stump up in order to land their man.
First and foremost, I’m happy for Smalling. He has probably been United’s best, most consistent defender over the last half-decade and quite frankly it was a travesty that he was allowed to leave over the summer. When you see the likes of Eric Bailly, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo still at the club, it really does make you wonder.
Sure, he may not be perfect, but he’s a damn sight better than the aforementioned trio, but perhaps they’re so bad that United struggled to find interested parties, hence why Smalling had to go out of necessity…
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