Roma ‘make breakthrough’ in £18m transfer bid for Man Utd’s Chris Smalling

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling looks set to join Roma on a permanent basis after the Italian side bid £18m plus bonuses for the player.

Smalling spent the 2019-20 season on loan at the Italian club and became an important part of the first-team, making 30 appearances in Serie A and helping guide his side to a fifth place finish.

He is said to be keen on returning to Roma, and does not seem to have a future at Old Trafford under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

United were allegedly holding out for a £20m fee, but according to the Sky in Italy they are likely to accept the fee-plus-bonuses offer from Roma.

After they splashed out £40m on attacking midfielder Donny van de Beek from Ajax, United need to sell before they can make further signings, and getting Smalling off the wage bill could allow them to make further moves in the transfer market.

Solskjaer is said to still be keen on adding a new centre-back, winger and striker before the end of the summer, with the Norwegian boss believing it will allow his side to challenge for major honours next season.

One of his primary targets was said to be RB Lepzig defender Dayot Upamecano, but the German club are said to have no intention of selling him.

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Another potential signing is that of Napoli star Kalidou Koulibaly, who has formed a reputation as one of the best centre-backs in Europe recently following his superb performances in Serie A and the Champions League over the last few seasons.

With Napoli struggling financially, it is widely expected that he will leave this summer, but as of yet it is not thought any clubs have made a bid for the player.

United may face competition for his signature, however, with bitter rivals Manchester City also thought to be strongly interested.