Chris Smalling could stay at Roma beyond this season, reveals Giulio Meozzi
Manchester United defender Chris Smalling joined Serie A giants AS Roma on a loan move in the final days of the transfer window. Although it is a loan move, an agent who was involved in the dealings of the transfer has hinted that Smalling might extend his stay at Rome if he performs well.
According to a report from the Manchester Evening News, agent Giulio Meozzi, who played an intermediary role in the transfer deal and arranged the loan, has expressed that the loan might get extended if Chris Smalling manages to have an impressive spell at AS Roma.
The former England international joined the Giallorossi this season after the Red Devils bought centre back Harry Maguire on a world-record deal. Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also made it known that Smalling had fallen down the pecking order at the club ad that he should start looking for clubs. While some consider the Serie A an unlikely destination for the 29-year-old, the centre back will be eager to resurrect his career in Italy.
TuttoMercatoWeb (via SportWitness) quotes Meozzi saying, “An important transfer. There is a possibility of making a dry loan, with the option to keep for next year and that depends on his performances. Roma has done good business and has also been able to sell well. Smalling was an important operation just as that of Zappacosta.
Smalling is tied down to Old Trafford by contract until 2022, and Ole has hinted that the centre back will be welcomed back to Manchester warmly. Last week, the Norwegian manager said to Manchester Evening News, “At the moment we've got six centre-backs. This is just something that popped up towards the end [of the European transfer window] in the last couple of days.
"Chris fancied the chance to go over there; it's a new experience, new adventure. He'll come back better for it because it's a big club, it's a good league. There aren't too many English players who have been playing in Italy so I think he'll enjoy it.” he ended.