Chris Smalling ‘given contract ultimatum by Roma’ as ex-Man Utd star linked with transfer bids from Juventus and Inter
CHRIS SMALLING has been offered a two-year contract extension by Roma, according to reports.
The former Manchester United defender joined the Italian outfit, initially on loan, from the Red Devils in 2019.
He has excelled in Serie A, becoming a key man at the back for the Italian side.
Smalling, 33, is set to be out of contract at the end of the current campaign.
Roma want to keep the experienced centre-back at the club – but without giving him a pay rise.
According to Corriere dello Sport, Smalling has been offered a two-year contract on the same terms that he’s on now.
He is claimed to have been offered around £3million-a-year for two seasons – with the former England international wanting a rise to £3.5m.
An extra year on his current terms appears likely to be triggered, with a clause stipulating that his deal will be automatically extended if he plays in 50 per cent of Roma’s matches this season.
He has featured in every match thus far both in Serie A and the Europa League.
Despite Roma’s reluctance to raise his salary, Smalling isn’t short of interest from elsewhere.
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Reports earlier this month claimed that Inter Milan and Juventus were both keen on a move for Smalling.
While Tottenham have also been linked with a move for the veteran defender.
Roma have underwhelmed in Italy so far this season and sit in seventh place in the league table.
They have more Europa League football to look forward to in the second half of the campaign, having drawn RB Salzburg in the next round.
The Serie A side won the inaugural Europa Conference League last term.