Roma prepare improved offer for Man Utd defender Smalling

Roma are preparing an improved offer to land Manchester United centre-back Chris Smalling on a permanent deal, claims The Guardian.

The Serie A outfit have already had an £11m offer turned down by United, who are holding out for in the region of £18m.

Smalling was a revelation on loan at Roma last season but has no future at United despite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanting another centre-back.

The 30-year-old has been training separetly from the United squad until his future is resolved and now Roma are ready to submit their second bid for the ex-England international.

Roma have already signed Marash Kumbulla to bolster their defensive options but manager Paulo Fonseca has also made it clear he also wants Smalling back.

Smalling finished his maiden Serie A campaign as the highest WhoScored rated centre-back in the division (7.00).