Manchester United set asking price for central defender

Manchester United will reportedly demand a fee of around £25m in order to part ways with Chris Smalling on a permanent basis in the summer.

The centre-back was deemed surplus to requirements at the beginning of the season and subsequently joined AS Roma on loan for the rest of the campaign.

Since then, Smalling has been hugely impressive at the heart of the Giallorossi defence and the club have made it clear that they will seek to sign him permanently in the summer.

According to Metro, United are willing to offload the centre-back when the transfer window reopens but they won't accept anything less than £25m for the defender's sale.

Roma were initially hoping to prise the defender away from United for around £13m in the summer and they are said to be shocked by the £25m price tag set by the Red Devils.

Smalling, has contributed two goals and one assist from 28 appearances for the Giallorossi this term. He is presently contracted to Manchester United until the summer of 2022.