Manchester United have sanctioned a mass exodus to Serie A, since last summer.
With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer completing his first full season as a full-time manager at Old Trafford, the preparations for the upcoming campaign is set to begin as Manchester United, after clinching the third spot, seek to bridge the rift between themselves and clubs superiorly placed in the league.
Despite clear objectives to build the next step post laying the groundwork, there had been opacity in the plans due to uncertainty hovering over European fate for next term. Now with elite continental tournament sealed, Red Devils are expected to go full throttle in the transfer market.
Pushing the deals in the current market, where clubs negotiate amid a financial crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic, won’t be an easy assignment for even the ships who have weathered this storm to an extent, namely Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, and a few others.
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For United, Jadon Sancho has been a target post Solskjaer’s permanent appointment. Last summer, however, the English talent decided against a new challenge to continue his development at Borussia Dortmund.
Now, the situation suggests that Sancho is keen to be a part of Solskjaer’s rebuild project and expects purported Old Trafford move to materialise. In spite of the eagerness of clubs involved in this deal to reach a consensus, achieving financial equilibrium would be a tedious task in the current economic climate.
Man United, however, are willing to push their boundaries to an extent where their German counterparts are willing to part ways with Jadon Sancho. But, to pare their financial losses due to the zero influx of matchday revenues, the Reds are planning substantial sales in this market.
Chris Smalling, who was allowed to leave on a temporary basis last summer to AS Roma, has rediscovered his defensive form in the Serie A. Citing his progress in Italy, La Lupa have expressed their interest in keeping the English centre-back on a long-term basis. Man United, too, are willing to trim their squad and make space for fresh arrivals.
However, the deal is yet to be struck as both clubs remain apart in their valuation of Chris Smalling. Roma’s latest offer promises 18million for Man United, but Ed Woodward wants the Serie A outfit to breach the 20million mark. With Europa League on the horizon, the Giallorossi would have to find a solution to ensure the services of the on-loan centre-back.
Sniffing an opportunity, AS Roma’s peers- Inter Milan, Juventus, and Napoli- have expressed their interest to attain the services of Chris Smalling, too. Although, the 30-year-old is keen to be a part of Paulo Fonseca’s current project at Stadio Olimpico, as per Alfredo Pedulla.
Roma, now, faces a race against time to secure the future services of their most successful central defender this season, with Smalling looking set for a return to Manchester when his Serie A campaign ends on Sunday against Juventus.
Do you think Chris Smalling will secure a permanent move to AS Roma?