AS Roma are increasingly confident that Chris Smalling will snub a free transfer to Everton or West Ham United this summer. The Serie A side are optimistic he signs a new contract.
That is according to Calciomercato, which reports that the March international break could be decisive in determining Smalling’s future. Roma intend to use their break in matches for key talks over the 33-year-old’s future. He is currently due to be a free agent from this July.
Giallorossi sporting director Tiago Pinto has contacted Smalling’s representatives in recent days to broach the subject of a renewal. The Stadio Olimpico natives are now ready to find an agreement closer to the defender’s requests. Smalling also appreciates the effort made.
Roma are increasingly confident Chris Smalling will sign a new contract
Roma presented Smalling with a new contract until June 2025 worth around €3m-a-season (£50.5k-a/w). The Serie A side will now tackle the talks over the March international break from a point of optimism. They could also annoy Inter Milan and a handful of English clubs.
Inter Milan have led the race to sign Smalling in a free transfer should he and Roma fail to agree on a new contract. Nerazzurri chiefs held talks with his agent about the subject of a Bosman move. But Roma are more determined than ever to lock up the defender’s future.
Everton and West Ham suffer a blow in their pursuits of a free transfer
Prior reports by 90min suggested that Everton, Fulham, Leicester City and West Ham were monitoring Smalling’s negotiations with Roma about a new contract in view of his transfer. But the former Manchester United defender’s priority was always to agree to a new deal.
Smalling has been at Roma permanently since October 2020 after securing an £18m move following his season on loan. He remains an instrumental presence this season under Jose Mourinho, as well. The 31-cap ex-England star has started in 24 of their 26 Serie A fixtures.
Mourinho has also played Smalling in 25 of Roma’s Italian top-flight games to see Everton and West Ham eye his transfer back to the Premier League. He even gave the defender the Giallorossi’s captaincy as they lost 4-3 to Sassuolo. Smalling had an assist last Sunday, too.
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