Smalling faces Roma heartbreak by missing rest of Europa League season as Man Utd refuse to budge on £18m transfer fee
CHRIS SMALLING could miss out on Roma's resumed Europa League campaign next month, as the Serie A side reportedly struggle to agree a fee with Manchester United.
The 30-year-old has been a revelation in Italy, instantly becoming a popular figure at the Stadio Olimpico.
Smalling wants to remain in Rome next season, with his family having settled well in the city.
But according to , Paulo Fonseca's side are struggling to stump up the Red Devils' £18million asking price.
Roma would prefer to pay around £16m for the 31-cap England international.
And with both sides refusing to budge, Smalling is running out of time if he is to feature in the rest of his team's Europa League campaign.
His initial one-year loan deal was extended to cover the rest of the Serie A season.
But United are refusing to extend it any further, instead demanding a permanent transfer.
Roma finally finish their domestic season this week with matches against Torino and Juventus.
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And next week they face Sevilla in a one-off match for a place in the Europa League's last eight.
Should they be successful, Fonseca's men will face the winner of Wolves' tie with Olympiacos.
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Whether or not Smalling will be involved, however, remains to be seen.
He has appeared in a promo for next season's Roma kit, suggesting that they are confident.
But should a deal fail to materialise, Juventus, Napoli and Inter Milan could all come calling for his services.