CHRIS SMALLING reportedly wants to secure a permanent transfer to Roma – because he has fallen in love with the club.
The Manchester United defender swapped the Premier League for Serie A this summer in a loan move.
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And according to Italian outlet Gazzetta, the 30-year-old centre-back has told Old Trafford bosses he wishes to remain in Rome.
Smalling has made 15 appearances in all competitions in the Italian capital, scoring twice.
His performances have impressed both Roma and United, leaving the Serie A giants pushing for a permanent deal.
It is claimed they will agree a fee close to 12.5million to take the ex-England international on permanently.
Smalling had wanted to take his form back to Manchester, but it is understood after half a year in the Italian capital he is ready to commit his future to Roma.
United paid Leicester a record 80m for Harry Maguire in the summer and handed Victor Lindelof a new long-term contract this season.
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Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also has Axel Tuanzebe, Eric Bailly, Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones as options at centre-back.
Arsenal, Leicester and Everton have been linked with Smalling, as well as Juventus and Inter Milan in Italy.
But the defenders agent is said to have flown out to Rome in a bid to keep Smalling at the Stadio Olimpico.
