---
title: "Manchester United: Inter Milan ready to rival Roma for Red Devils defender Chris Smalling"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/chris-smalling-manchester-united-inter-milan-rival-roma-juventus-transfer-latest/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Thomas Ward"
section: "Manchester United Football Club"
published: "2020-08-11T15:00:04Z"
modified: "2020-08-11T15:00:04Z"
---

# Manchester United: Inter Milan ready to rival Roma for Red Devils defender Chris Smalling

**Inter Milan are ready to rival AS Roma and raid Manchester United for Red Devils defender Chris Smalling this summer, [reports](https://sportwitness.co.uk/club-looking-match-manchester-uniteds-e25m-asking-price-player-beat-competition-signing/) say.**

The [31-cap](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/chris-smalling/profil/spieler/103427) England international spent the past season on loan at the Stadio Olimpico, where he impressed Roma boss [Paulo Foncesca](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8278533/Roma-boss-Paulo-Fonseca-wants-Man-United-loanee-Chris-Smalling-year.html) despite falling down the pecking order at Old Trafford.

Recent reports [revealed](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-united-transfer-rumours/manchester-united-fans-gush-over-chris-smalling-as-transfer-news-emerges/) Smalling is willing to sit and wait for his parent club to decide his fate before considering the next stage of his career.

And it appears the centre-back may not have to wait too long, as he has attracted attention from Serie A giants Inter, Juventus and Roma.

According to [Sportmediaset](https://www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it/mercato/inter/inter-nome-nuovo-per-la-difesa-tentativo-per-smalling_21740908-202002a.shtml?wtk=twitternp.ap.sportmediaset...smalling-), as cited by [Sport Witness](https://sportwitness.co.uk/club-looking-match-manchester-uniteds-e25m-asking-price-player-beat-competition-signing/), Antonio Conte’s side are keen to steal a march on their close rivals by matching Man United’s asking price for the former Fulham man.

Ed Woodward slapped a €25m (£22m) price-tag on his head, as the Premier League side were well aware there would be interest from overseas, and the club look certain to reap the rewards.

[\[freshpress-poll id=”313485″\]](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/[freshpress-poll%20id=%22313485%22])

It is understood that Conte believes that Smalling’s experience and desire could play a key part in mounting a successful title challenge next season.

The English veteran started 29 games in Serie A last term, scoring three goals, supplying two assists, registering 1.9 interceptions and a staggering 4 clearances on average per game (via [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/71345/Show/Chris-Smalling)).

Former Red Devils Romelu Lukaku, Ashley Young and [Alexis Sanchez](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-united-transfer-rumours/man-united-fans-delighted-sanchez-inter-departure/) have all swapped Old Trafford for the San Siro in the past year, and Smalling may be about to follow suit.

A player who was once deemed [Rio Ferdinand’s heir](https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/feb/11/chris-smalling-rio-ferdinand-heir) is now considered surplus to requirements by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and cashing in on the Englishman while they still can seems to be a sensible decision by the board.

For whatever reason, it has never quite worked out for him at the Theatre of Dreams, as he was often criticised by [Jose Mourinho](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/06/07/chris-smalling-sends-message-man-utd-manager-jose-mourinho-insisting/#:~:text=Chris%20Smalling%20says%20that,pain%20barrier%20for%20the%20team.) for failing to play through the pain barrier for the team.

Despite his age, Smalling showed he is still a quality defender during his loan spell, and Conte may be the man to get the best out of him, as he worked miracles with [David Luiz](https://www.90min.com/posts/chris-smalling-transfer-inter-manchester-united) during his time in charge of Chelsea.

***United fans, do you think Woodward should sell Smalling this summer? Let us know down below!***