Chris Smalling 'hands in' transfer request to Jose Mourinho at Roma amid major Serie A interest
Chris Smalling has handed in a transfer request to his former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho at AS Roma, according to reports.
Tuttomercatoweb in Italy claim that Smalling is eager to move on from Rome, having joined – initially on loan – from United in 2019 after being frozen out by then boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The 33-year-old has resurrected his career in Serie A, establishing himself as one of the league's best defenders.
But with his Roma contract due to expire in the summer, the offers have come flooding in for Smalling and it looks like he is keen to jump ship.
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It's claimed the former Fulham centre-back has rejected Roma's offers of a contract extension, wanting more than the one extra year currently on the table.
Inter Milan are reportedly keen on his services, and it seems Smalling is willing to hand in a transfer request to Mourinho – who it's claimed is 'frustrated' at Roma's lack of resources – to push through the transfer.
Inter could see defensive duo Milan Skriniar and Stefan de Vrij both leave when their contracts expire in the summer and Smalling is viewed as a possible alternative.
However, Smalling wants the move in the next few days – before the January transfer window slams shut on Tuesday 31st.
Smalling has been a regular for Mourinho's side this season, playing 25 games and scoring three goals – one of them coming against Inter Milan, in a 2-1 victory in October.
He hasn't added to his 31 England caps since 2017 after being dropped by Gareth Southgate. But he's become a favourite in Italy and is clearly ready to take the next step in Serie A by moving to the 19-time champions and the winners of 2020/21.
Inter and Roma are currently locked on the same points, fourth and fifth in the table respectively, trailing runaway (and surprise) leaders Napoli by a whopping 13 points.
Read more: Jose Mourinho wants a THIRD spell as Chelsea boss, he's 'frustrated' at Roma
Topics: Jose Mourinho, Chris Smalling, AS Roma, Inter Milan
Dominic Booth