Paulo Fonseca "confident" of bringing Chris Smalling to Roma

Roma boss Paulo Fonseca has said that he is "confident" of signing Manchester United centre-back Chris Smalling before this summer's transfer window slams shut.

A move for the Englishman was said to be in doubt with United deciding to raise their asking price to £16.3m, having previously signalled that £13.6m would be enough to complete a deal.

Roma are facing a race against the clock to sign the 30-year-old before Monday's deadline, but Fonseca is expecting his team to complete a deal for the former Fulham youngster.

"Smalling deal still on? I've only three centre backs... so yes, I need one more. It's clear, we'll see on next 48 hours what is gonna happen," Fonseca told Sky Italia.

"I want Smalling, he's our target as centre back. So yes, I'm confident!"

The two-time Premier League title winner has been training away from the United first team this season amid the speculation surrounding his future.