Roma 'make fresh bid for Manchester United defender Chris Smalling'

Roma have reportedly made a fresh approach to Manchester United in an attempt to keep Chris Smalling at the club for at least another season.

The 30-year-old has spent the entire 2019-20 campaign with the Italian outfit so far but is currently due to return to his parent club when the Serie A season comes to an end on August 2.

Roma are keen to keep him at the club beyond that date after being impressed by his performances, but they are unwilling to commit to a permanent deal and are only interested in another loan.

Football Italia reports that the capital outfit are readying an approach which would see Smalling spend the 2020-21 season on loan, with an option to buy for €15m (£13.4m) next summer.

Roma would reportedly pay United a £2.5m loan fee in order to push the transfer through, and would hand the England international a four-year contract if they were to trigger the permanent option.

However, the Red Devils are thought to be holding out for a permanent deal worth €25m (£22.4m) for Smalling, who has made 32 appearances across all competitions for Roma this season.