Serie A giants to sign Manchester United star permanently?

Serie A giants AS Roma are reportedly close to reaching an agreement with Manchester United for the permanent signing of defender Chris Smalling.

Smalling joined the Italian side on a season-long loan from the Red Devils last summer and he has proved a key figure, having made 28 appearances in all competitions.

A recent report claimed that the Giallorossi may not be able to afford the permanent signing of Smalling with the Red Devils demanding as much as £25m for the defender's services.

However, Corriere dello Sport claims that the club are in advanced negotiations with the Premier League heavyweights and they could sign the centre-back for a reduced fee of around £13m.

Smalling obviously has no ambition of returning to the Red Devils without the assurance of regular gametime and the club seem prepared to sanction his permanent sale to Roma rather than to a direct league rival.

Both Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal have been credited with an interest in the former Fulham graduate but they now appear likely to miss out on landing his signature.