Former Manchester United defender Chris Smalling could be up for a controversial move from AS Roma to Inter Milan on a free transfer.
The imposing central midfielder’s contract is set to expire in June and he has so far not accepted any offers from his current club.
Smalling’s contract contains a clause that will give him the option to extend his stay in the Italian capital if he plays in 50% of Roma’s league games this season.
As a key player in José Mourinho’s side, that’s one option he’ll likely have, but Tuttosport suggests Inter are ready to offer him another.
The Nerazzurri could be facing something of a defensive crisis in the summer, with Milan Skriniar, Stefan de Vrij, Danilo D’Ambrosio and Matteo Darmian all out of contract at the end of the Serie A season.
Francesco Acerbi, currently on loan from Lazio, could also return to his parent club, although Inter can still exercise their option to buy the Italian.
But even with highly prized 23-year-old Alessandro Bastoni linked with a move, with Manchester United among the interested parties, Smalling would be a welcome addition to Simeone Inzaghi’s squad.
A move to Milan would see the Englishman reunited with Romelu Lukaku, who Tuttosport suggests could use a friendly face to help him settle in at Inter for a second time.
The Belgian has had a difficult start to his loan from Chelsea, having missed 16 games due to injury this campaign.
His form woes have seen him start just three games all season, though he did score in his opener against Lecce and managed a cameo goal against Viktoria Plzen.
Still, Lukaku managed to make the Belgium squad for the World Cup, although perhaps he would have been better off staying at home.
A run against Morocco in an unlikely attempt to salvage a result went nowhere, while his introduction in his country’s crucial match against Croatia saw the former United striker squander four great chances as Belgium were knocked out of the tournament.
As for Smalling, his exploits in the UEFA Conference League did nothing to convince Gareth Southgate that he deserved an England call-up, five and a half years after his last cap.
