Ben Guest
Chris Smalling looks set to return to Manchester United this week, with no agreement having been reached over his loan deal with Roma.
The English centre-back has spent the season on loan in the Italian capital, making himself into an integral part of the Giallorossi side, making 30 Serie A appearances and chipping in with three goals.
With league’s across Europe having been elongated due to the ongoing pandemic, Manchester United agreed to extend his loan deal until the end of the Italian season, which came to an end for Roma with a 3-1 win over champions Juventus on Saturday.
However, according to Gianluca di Marzio, United have ‘turned down the opportunity’ to further extend Smalling’s loan to cover the conclusion of the Europa League later this month.
Both United and Roma are involved in this month’s mini-tournament in Germany, the two sides potentially meeting at the semi-final stage.
According to the report, the odds of reaching a deal before Smalling’s scheduled return to England are ‘slim’, with his season in Italy claimed to be ‘almost certainly’ over.
Roma are keen to keep the 30-year-old at the club, and have been linked with making his move permanent this summer, though his form with the capital club is said to have attracted the attention of Juventus and Inter Milan.
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