Smalling 'ready to take pay cut to seal permanent switch to Roma... with United demanding £20m'

Manchester United have asked Chris Smalling to make a quick decision over his future after slapping a £20million price tag on the defender.

The 30-year-old centre half returned to Old Trafford last week after his season-long loan deal at Roma ended.

Smalling still has two years left on his £130,000-a-week deal and could still figure in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's plans.


Roma and Serie A rivals Inter Milan are interested in signing Smalling on a permanent deal during the summer transfer window.

Smalling is keen on a return to Italy and would be willing to take a sizeable pay cut to secure a move away, according to The Sun.

The 31-cap England international was shipped out on loan to Italy this season and impressed during his stint with Roma despite having fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford.


Smalling made 30 league appearances this campaign, and even scored three goals and recorded two assists despite operating along the backline.

Roma were desperate to keep the defender for the rest of their Europa League journey but failed to reach an agreement with United to extend the loan deal.

Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez both left Old Trafford for Inter last summer, and the duo were soon joined by fellow team-mate Ashley Young in January.