Roma are poised to sign Manchester United defender Chris Smalling on a season-long loan deal, claims Gianluca Di Marzio.
Smalling is deemed surplus to requirements by United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following Harry Maguire’s arrival from Leicester.
United have been looking to offload at least one centre-back since signing Maguire and Smalling is now set to join Roma.
The Serie A giants have been on the market for another centre-back since selling Kostas Manolas to Napoli and have previously been linked with Premier League duo Toby Alderweireld and Dejan Lovren.
Roma have now turned their attention to Smalling and will pay a £3m loan fee to prise the former England international away from Old Trafford.
Serie A has proved a useful landing spot for several United outcasts this summer with Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez both moving to Inter.
Roma do not have an option to sign Smalling permanently but it’s likely the 29-year-old will be moved on by the Red Devils next summer.
Smalling has been left out of United’s matchday squad for their first three matches, with 21-year-old Axel Tuanzebe preferred on each occasion.
Since August 2014, Smalling has won at least 112 more aerial duels than any other United player in the Premier League (452).
