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Manchester United are close to agreeing the permanent sale of Chris Smalling to Roma. The England international has enjoyed a return to form during a loan spell with the Serie A giants. The
Giallorossi are eager to retain the 30-year-old on a permanent basis but there has been debate about a fee. There appears to have been a breakthrough, however, according to Italian transfer
expert Nicolo Schira, who claims an agreement worth around £16million is on the brink. "Chris #Smalling is getting closer to #ASRoma on a permanent deal," Schira wrote on Twitter.
"Baldini is in talks with #ManchesterUnited to reach an agreement for a loan (€3M) with obligation to buy (€15M) in 2021. #Roma have agreed personal terms with him until 2024
(€3M/year)." Smalling spent nine seasons as a Red Devils player following a 2010 switch from Fulham before being loaned to Roma last summer. He won five major honours during his spell
at Old Trafford. Roma boss Paulo Fonseca has expressed his desire to keep Smalling at the club. "I will do everything I can to keep him at Roma next year too," Fonseca said in May.
"I know he wants to stay, let's see what happens. "He's an amazing man, so humble, so professional. He is adored by the fans and established himself as one of the
leaders in the dressing room. "It's not easy for English central defenders to adapt so quickly to Italian football, the record there isn't good. But he has been amazing."
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