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Manchester United and Roma are continuing to negotiate over the possible permanent transfer of defender Chris Smalling.
The 30 year old was allowed to join the Serie A side on a season long loan at the start of the season after falling down the pecking order at Old Trafford, and has since undergone something of a career renaissance with his new club. He has produced a string of impressive performances, prompting suggestions that he could be in line for an England recall, and has even captained the Italian side on occasions.
It had been thought that price might be a sticking point, with Roma unable to meet United’s valuation of the player, but, with their apparently being no future for him back in Manchester, the Italian club are hoping that a compromise can be reached.
Smalling is not the only player on loan from the Premier League at Roma, with their ranks also including Roma’s Henrik Mkhitaryan, and Chelsea’s Davide Zappacosta.
Andy is an exiled English football fan living in Cyprus. He loves all sports but football is his abiding passion, and he still has dreams every now and then about scoring the winning goal in a Wembley Cup Final, even though his playing days are long gone. He follows most major leagues, across Europe at least, and has a favoured team in each. When he’s not watching, listening, reading or downloading podcasts about football, he spend his time worrying about his beloved Arsenal.