Paul Stewart doesn't think that Chris Smalling will make a return to the Premier League this summer.

The England defender left Manchester United to join Roma in the summer of 2019 and has enjoyed two stellar seasons in Serie A under the guidance of  Tottenham-linked manager Paulo Fonseca, who called him "extraordinary" last year.

The Italians initially loaned him from the Red Devils before signing him permanently 12 months later.

And with Spurs themselves now in desperate need of a centre-back or two, Smalling could possibly help solve some of their defensive problems.

Smalling has been linked with Tottenham in the past, including last summer when Jose Mourinho was on the lookout for a central defender, although Joe Rodon arrived from Swansea instead.

And Stewart told The Transfer Tavern that he believes the ex-United defender is suited to playing Italian football, and believes his age could prove a factor in Spurs deciding against signing him:

"I'm not sure whether he would come back now. I thought when United got rid of him it was a bad move.

"He is and has been quality but is getting to an age where you can't have too many over 30 because they struggled with Vertonghen and Alderweireld because they have got to an age where they need to move on.

"Chris will be comfortable playing in Serie A because it's not 100 miles per hour and you're not getting constantly battered with crosses."