Man Utd stuck with Smalling as Roma talks end

 

Manchester United are resigned to keeping Chris Smalling after talks with Serie A outfit Roma collapse, claims The Independent.

 

Smalling was a revelation on loan at Roma last season and head coach Paulo Fonseca has already made it clear he wants him back at the club.

 

United and Roma have been locked in talks over Smalling's future for weeks now but have been unable to agree a fee.

 

Roma have offered in the region of £12m and United want closer to £20m, with the Serie A outfit now exploring alternatives.

 

The Serie A outfit are now in talks to sign Antonio Rudiger from Chelsea after being offered the outcast centre-back on loan.

 

Rudiger has no future at Chelsea under Frank Lampard and they are desperate to shift him before the window closes, preferably abroad rather than to London rivals Tottenham.

 

The Germany international has been given an extra day to resolve his future before linking up with the national team for the international break.

 

 

With Roma in advanced talks to re-sign Rudiger, who spent two years with the Giallorossi, Smalling now looks set to stay at United.

 

Only West Brom (13) have conceded more goals than United (11) in the Premier League and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could do worse than reintegrate Smalling into his plans for this season.

 

However, Smalling has been forced to train away from the first-team for a number of weeks now when United were convinced he would end up leaving.

 

Smalling finished his first season in Serie A in the WhoScored Team of the Season in Serie A (7.00 rating).