{"id":567064,"date":"2020-09-24T09:41:58","date_gmt":"2020-09-24T13:41:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=567064"},"modified":"2020-09-24T09:41:58","modified_gmt":"2020-09-24T13:41:58","slug":"report-roma-to-make-second-bid-for-manchester-uniteds-chris-smalling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/09\/24\/report-roma-to-make-second-bid-for-manchester-uniteds-chris-smalling\/","title":{"rendered":"REPORT: Roma to Make Second Bid for Manchester United’s Chris Smalling"},"content":{"rendered":"

Roma<\/a> are expected to make a second bid for Manchester United<\/a>\u2019s Chris Smalling<\/a> as they continue their pursuit of the defender, according to Fabrizio Romano.<\/a><\/p>\n

The Italian club\u2019s initial \u00a311 million offer was rejected<\/a> by United, who are understood to want at least \u00a318 million for the 30-year old.<\/p>\n

Smalling spent last season on loan at Roma and made 30 appearances as the Italian side finished fifth in Serie A.<\/a><\/p>\n

Roma to Make Second Bid for Manchester United’s Chris Smalling<\/h2>\n

Chris Smalling to Roma: What Was Said?<\/h3>\n

After impressing in the Italian capital last season, Roma manager, Paulo Fonseca, is keen to make Smalling a permanent addition to his squad.<\/p>\n

He said<\/a>: \u201cWe\u2019re working to get Smalling here. I\u2019m in contact with him and I spoke to him yesterday.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe wants to be here and we want him here. He could join us in the next few days.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, despite Fonseca\u2019s optimism, United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed that Smalling is only for sale for the right price.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the moment, we\u2019ve not had any bids up to the level that we want,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m not the one negotiating between the clubs, but we haven\u2019t had sufficient bids there and that\u2019s it.\u201d<\/p>\n

At Home in Rome<\/h3>\n

Smalling arrived at Old Trafford from Fulham<\/a> in 2010 and enjoyed nine fruitful seasons with the Manchester side, winning full domestic honours and the 2015\/16 Europa League<\/a>.<\/p>\n

However, after falling out of favour at United, the England international opted to join Roma on a season-long loan last summer.<\/p>\n

The towering centre-back made an immediate impact in Italy, making 37 appearances in all competitions and scoring three goals as Roma secured Europa League football for a second successive season.<\/p>\n

Smalling is yet to feature this season and will struggle to find first team football behind Harry Maguire<\/a>, Eric Bailly,<\/a> Victor Lindelof<\/a> and even Timothy Fosu-Mensah<\/a> in the United pecking order.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>