Chris Smalling on cusp of Roma loan transfer

Man Utd defender Chris Smalling looks set to make a surprise loan move to join AS Roma in Serie A before the end of the transfer deadline on September 2nd. In a surprise move, Smalling will join on a year long loan deal to join the Roman club, who will also have the option to extend the deal on a permanent transfer.

Roma will pay close to 3 million euros to secure the loan transfer of Smalling, with the funds being paid in two separate installments over the next 12 months.

Smalling is likely to have fallen completely out of favour with the arrival of Harry Maguire, whilst Victor Lindelhof has taken the third spot in the centre of defence at United under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The 29-year-old has options to join AC Milan or Fiorentina, but will join Roma instead of their Serie A rivals, with the club set to match Smalling's full salary that he is earning at Old Trafford.

Roma have turned their attentions to signing Smalling having missed out on a deal to sign Daniele Rugani from Juventus this summer.