According to Sport Witness, AS Roma are willing to pay a fee to keep hold of Manchester United defender Chris Smalling in the summer, prompting various responses from loads of the Red Devils faithful.
Smalling’s first season in Italy has been brought to an abrupt halt in light of recent events, but the centre-back has still played in 20 games in Serie A this season (Transfermarkt).
Yellow and Reds boss Paulo Foncesca has been impressed with the England international’s loan spell at the Stadio Olimpico, with Smalling averaging 2 interceptions per game, completing 4.5 clearances on average, scoring 2 goals, and providing 1 assist so far (WhoScored).
Since moving to Old Trafford from Fulham for £7.2m back in 2010 (Transfermarkt), the 30-year-old has starred in over 300 games for the Red Devils, lifting the Premier League twice, the Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup. His current market value is rated at £18m via Transfermarkt.
However, as clubs find themselves in unprecedented circumstances, the report claims Roma are eager to sort out a fresh loan agreement with Ed Woodward to prolong the Englishman’s stay in the Italian capital. The She-Wolf will face stiff competition from Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur for his signature (La Gazzetta dello Sport).
While Smalling has put in a tremendous shift for United over the years, he will want a place in a starting lineup to improve his chances of making Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2021, and it looks like the veteran have to consider his options as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer cannot guarantee him a spot on the pitch.
The club legend has regularly used the services of captain Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof at the back (Transfermarkt).
Naturally many United fans replied to the transfer update on Twitter, with some supporters making it apparent they would prefer Smalling to rejoin Roma, instead of their league rivals. One fan admitted they “respect” the fact the former Cottagers centre-half for choosing game time over bench-warming and cashing cheques, while another added he is “severely underrated.”
Take a look at some of the different reactions down below…
https://twitter.com/devilesh03/status/1243366173497942018?s=20
We should sell him to the highest bidder imo.
— AntiED (@ed_anti) March 27, 2020
Goodbye sweet prince pic.twitter.com/YqHtQVInaT
— Queen Clare (@abc_clare) March 27, 2020
Good luck to him severely underrated by our fanbase. If he was good on the ball hed be one of the leagues best cbs
— John (@John29743443) March 27, 2020
Rather he went there than Spurs or Arsenal
— Nathan (@utdNathann) March 27, 2020
I’d liked it if he went to Roma tbh he’s been doing good over there and it’s better than Spurs and arsenal
— butlerryan2146 (@butlerryan21461) March 27, 2020
Fair play to him…hope he does well.
— Ethan Wall (@WallFrankiewall) March 27, 2020
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