Manchester United 'hoping to use Chris Smalling funds on Dayot Upamecano'

Manchester United are reportedly expecting Roma to return with a fresh bid for Chris Smalling and plan to use the funds raised from that sale on signing Dayot Upamecano.

Smalling spent the 2019-20 campaign on loan at Roma, impressing enough for the Italian outfit to attempt to make the deal permanent.

However, United rejected a £13m bid in November and Smalling has now returned to his parent club after Roma failed to meet the Red Devils' asking price for the 30-year-old.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims that United are expecting another offer from Roma in the coming days, with the player himself also keen to return to the Stadio Olimpico.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side will then reportedly put the funds generated towards buying RB Leipzig defender Upamecano, who has been identified as their top target to partner Harry Maguire at the heart of the defence.

United are expected to announce the arrival of their first summer signing Donny van de Beek imminently and will then turn their attention to bringing in Upamecano.