---
title: "Manchester United: AS Roma start to step up in their pursuit of Chris Smalling"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-united-as-roma-start-to-step-up-in-their-pursuit-of-chris-smalling/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Luke Seychell"
section: "Manchester United Football Club"
published: "2020-09-23T16:10:17Z"
modified: "2020-09-23T16:10:17Z"
---

# Manchester United: AS Roma start to step up in their pursuit of Chris Smalling

**Manchester United defender Chris Smalling looks to be on his way out of the club as he has been [heavily linked](https://thetopflight.com/2020/08/25/manchester-united-as-roma-submit-new-offer-chris-smalling/) to AS Roma.**

The speculation over this move had died down recently, but [Fabrizio Romano](https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano) has reported, via [utdreport](https://twitter.com/utdreport/status/1308703696872595456?s=20), that the Serie A side are stepping up their pursuit of Smalling and are expected to submit a second bid this week.

Smalling, who was on loan at Roma last season flourished in Serie A as the [30 year-old](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/chris-smalling/profil/spieler/103427) managed four clearances and 1.9 interceptions a game, per [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/71345/Show/Chris-Smalling), whilst also scoring three goals and supplying two assists as well as helping his team to keep [six](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/chris-smalling/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/103427/wettbewerb/IT1/saison/2019) clean sheets.

Clearly they were impressed as they look to make a second bid for the 30 year-old, but it seems like this news has conflicted the United fan base. Indeed, it comes after the Red Devils lost their [first Premier League match at the weekend](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1337680/Manchester-United-transfer-news-Crystal-Palace-Ed-Woodward-Premier-League), after which the defence was heavily criticised, and after seeing how he performed in Italy last campaign, many believe he possibly should be given another chance at Old Trafford.

Meanwhile other fans just want the club to sell the player and believe that Roma are trying to get a budget offer for Smalling and they just want the club to pay up so that they can look into other transfers.

Here is what fans said following the news:

> AS Roma are stepping up their pursuit of Chris Smalling and are expected to submit a second bid this week [#mulive](https://twitter.com/hashtag/mulive?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) \[[@FabrizioRomano](https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)\]
>
> — utdreport (@utdreport) [September 23, 2020](https://twitter.com/utdreport/status/1308703696872595456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> The sooner the better. We need that cash to bid for Sancho. Look at us behaving like a small club
>
> — Madmoiselle Greenwood 🍭 (@quinn\_utd) [September 23, 2020](https://twitter.com/quinn_utd/status/1308703878389657602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> I think United should ask West Ham to bid 20 million for Smalling. They are crying out for a centre back. That would make Roma move.
>
> — Matthew Robinson (@SFR\_Matthew) [September 23, 2020](https://twitter.com/SFR_Matthew/status/1308707808788074497?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> It better be what we want or we should just start Smalling ahead of Lindelof.
>
> — Sub Zero (@Cardiiiii) [September 23, 2020](https://twitter.com/Cardiiiii/status/1308704133327675392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Selling our best defender and bringing in nobody to replace him [pic.twitter.com/HbpJi2a6cJ](https://t.co/HbpJi2a6cJ)
>
> — Chico🇾🇪🇸🇦 (@radicaIntns) [September 23, 2020](https://twitter.com/radicaIntns/status/1308703902582411264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Our best centreback leaves our club for cheap. And the man u board questions the fans on why they are outraged. Its transfers like this. [https://t.co/OjeC8qGDWF](https://t.co/OjeC8qGDWF)
>
> — dwex900 #BLACKPILL #OLEOUT (@dwex900) [September 23, 2020](https://twitter.com/dwex900/status/1308704407207452672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Is it me or has this sale been going on for about 3 weeks now? Penny pinchers
>
> — Gareth Perry (@GarethPerry7) [September 23, 2020](https://twitter.com/GarethPerry7/status/1308704129603207170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

***United fans, what are your thoughts on this news? Comment below!***