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Juventus and Inter ‘join race for on-loan Man Utd ace Chris Smalling’ as Roma haggle over £15m transfer fee


CHRIS SMALLING is set to have plenty of options to extend his Serie A stay with Juventus and Inter Milan joining Roma in wanting the defender.

On loan in the Italian capital, the centre-back has impressed enough to make Roma want to seal his signature permanently.

 Roma want to keep Smalling past his season-long loan

Roma want to keep Smalling past his season-long loanCredit: Getty – Contributor

Manchester United are said to want £15million for Smalling and have already rejected a bid that fell short of that valuation.

According to Corriere della Sera, Roma sporting director Gianluca Petrachi is working to complete a deal as soon as January.

However they claim Inter and Juventus are circling with intent to disrupt Roma’s bid.

Smalling has found a new lease of life since leaving Old Trafford in the summer.

Earning the nickname ‘Smaldini’ for his defensive heroics, the Englishman – who turns 30 this week – has made ten appearances for Roma.

But defeat last time out at Parma ended his six-game unbeaten streak in Serie A and left the Giallorossi in sixth-place.

Meanwhile, Inter and Juve are the two standout sides competing at the summit of the table.

Antonio Conte may have recently lamented the Biscione’s apparent inability to create a squad capable of competing both domestically and in Europe but they have nonetheless surpassed expectations.

And the coach will get a chance to check out Smalling up close when Roma face his side in two-and-a-half weeks’ time.

Roma officially announce Chris Smalling loan with a list of missing children


Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk


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