Chris Smalling is thriving during his loan spell in Italy. The 30-year-old has impressed so much that Roma reportedly want to make his season-long loan permanent.
According to Italian source Il Romanista, Roma are ready to step up their efforts to sign the central defender with an improved £13m offer.
The report, as sourced by the Daily Mail, claims the Serie A giants have already been unsuccessful with an opening offer of around £8.5m.
However, it is believed Paulo Fonseca’s side are keen to reopen negations with United after talks stalled with the failed opening offer.
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Smalling has become a key part of Roma’s defence this season and is now a leader that Fonesca has come to rely on at the back. He has formed a promising partnership with young defender Gianluca Mancini and now has a future in Italy beyond this season-long loan spell.
The defender, who has made 323 appearances for United, took a risk in moving abroad when he could have played back up to Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire for Solskjaer.
But Smalling wanted a challenge and was not content with sporadic first-team minutes; his risk seems to have paid off as he has started every Serie A game since making his Roma debut.
He scored and contributed 2 assists as Roma beat Brescia 3-0 this weekend. See his goal below: