Chris Smalling is set to leave Manchester United and complete a shock move to Roma on loan, according to stunning reports in Italy.
The 29-year-old English centre-back has 'agreed' to the loan move and the Red Devils will receive £2.7m as part of the deal.
The Guardian and Sky Sport Italia's Fabrizio Romano reports that the deal is 'without [a] buy option.'
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He tweeted: "Total agreement for a simple loan (€3M to Man Utd) without buy option. The player has accepted."
Smalling has been left out of the squad for all three of
United's opening Premier League fixtures this season.
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has had marquee summer signing Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof as his first-choice centre-back pairing.
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And the England international might have seen his playing time reduced even further at Old Trafford with
competition from six first-team centre-backs.
Smalling, who was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson from Fulham in 2010, renewed his contract with the club last December.
The United defender, whose current contract expires in 2022, said at the time that he was "delighted to be continuing my progression with this team."
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The former Fulham man has made over 300 appearances for
the Red Devils and won two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, one League Cup
and the Europa League during his time at Old Trafford.
According to Football Italia, Roma boss Paulo Fonseca identified Smalling as the pacey centre-back he had 'long requested.'
Smalling will be the third United player heading to Serie A
this summer.
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Inter Milan snapped up Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku for a club-record fee of £74m and are now closing in on the signing of United flop Alexis
Sanchez on a loan deal.
Will Smalling be a hit in Serie A?
Let us know in the comments.
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