Smalling misses Man Utd training as Roma move gathers pace

Manchester United centre-back Chris Smalling is on the brink of securing a return to Roma, reports The Daily Telegraph.

Smalling spent last season on loan at Roma and now the Italian side are in advanced talks with United to re-sign the 30-year-old on a permanent deal.

Roma have cashed in on the likes of Patrik Shick and Aleksandar Kolarov in order to face funds to broker a deal for Smalling.

The former England international missed United training on Wednesday as talks stepped up a notch, with United set to receive a fee in the region of £15m and £20m for his services.

United have found offloading some of their deadwood this summer difficult and still need to sell at least one other centre-back before they can consider strengthening at the back. 

Smalling made the WhoScored Team of the Season in Serie A (7.00 rating) in his first year with Roma and played a direct hand in five goals across his 30 league appearances.