Everton reportedly wanted Chris Smalling before the transfer deadline.
According to Sky Sports, Manchester United defender Chris Smalling is set for a loan move to Roma – just weeks after missing out on a move to Everton.
Smalling, 29, has been with United for nine years now, having signed from Fulham back in 2010 having made the step-up from non-league football.
The defender is now down the United pecking order since the signing of Harry Maguire, and Everton tried to take advantage of that situation earlier this month.
Everton made a loan move for Smalling, which was rejected, as the Toffees were allegedly told to pay £30million to sign him permanently, as we reported via The Mirror.
Everton may now be stunned to learn that United are actually loaning Smalling out now, with claims that Roma are paying €3million (£2.7million) to take him for the season.
Smalling will now look to play regular first-team football, and will aid the Roma defence having lost Kostas Manolas to Napoli earlier this summer.
Roma have been looking for an experienced Premier League defender given prior links to Toby Alderweireld and Dejan Lovren, but it’s now Smalling heading to the Stadio Olimpico.
Everton may be a little gutted that their attempt to land Smalling was snubbed but United are clearly willing to let him go on loan to Roma, especially with Marco Silva needing one more centre back in his ranks after losing Kurt Zouma.
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