This archive report was first published on 29 August 2019.
Manchester United defender Chris Smalling is on the verge of joining Roma on a season-long loan, with the Italian club agreeing to pay a Sh340 million fee.
Smalling, 29, visited Manchester United's headquarters on Thursday to finalize his exit and is expected to travel to Italy in the evening to undergo a medical.
The move comes after talks between the two clubs began on Tuesday, with Manchester United initially requesting a Sh2.3 billion deal, but eventually opting for a one-year loan to avoid lengthy bureaucratic processes.
Smalling's departure from Manchester United follows his omission from the team's squads for their first three Premier League fixtures, including a 4-0 win against Chelsea and a 1-2 defeat to Crystal Palace.
Roma are seeking to bolster their defense after failing to secure the signings of Tottenham's Toby Alderweireld, Liverpool's Dejan Lovren, and Juventus' Daniele Rugani this summer.
With stalwart Kostas Manolas having left for Napoli for Sh4.1 billion, Roma have brought in Italy Under-21 defender Gianluca Mancini from Atalanta for Sh2.3 billion, but still require additional cover.
Smalling, who joined Manchester United from Fulham in 2010 for a reported Sh880 million, is the club's longest-serving player and was a regular following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's interim appointment last December.
Report by skysports
