CHRIS SMALLING is set to have plenty of options to extend his Serie A stay with Juventus and Inter Milan joining Roma in wanting the defender.
On loan in the Italian capital, the centre-back has impressed enough to make Roma want to seal his signature permanently.
Manchester United are said to want 15million for Smalling and have already rejected a bid that fell short of that valuation.
According to Corriere della Sera, Roma sporting director Gianluca Petrachi is working to complete a deal as soon as January.
However they claim Inter and Juventus are circling with intent to disrupt Roma’s bid.
Smalling has found a new lease of life since leaving Old Trafford in the summer.
Earning the nickname ‘Smaldini’ for his defensive heroics, the Englishman who turns 30 this week has made ten appearances for Roma.
But defeat last time out at Parma ended his six-game unbeaten streak in Serie A and left the Giallorossi in sixth-place.
Meanwhile, Inter and Juve are the two standout sides competing at the summit of the table.
Antonio Conte may have recently lamented the Biscione’s apparent inability to create a squad capable of competing both domestically and in Europe but they have nonetheless surpassed expectations.
And the coach will get a chance to check out Smalling up close when Roma face his side in two-and-a-half weeks’ time.
