Central defender Chris Smalling will return to Manchester United this summer as £25million AS Roma move collapses but Arsenal still interested

Central defender Chris Smalling will return to Manchester United this summer as £25million AS Roma move collapses but Arsenal still interested, according to the Sun.

A short couple of months ago, Smalling would have been odds-on favourite to be joining Serie A outfit AS Roma for a fee in the region of £25million.

The ex Fulham defender was enjoying a season on loan in the Italian capital and was playing some great football there and very much liked by the club.

Talks of a move were thought to be progressing well, but due to the Coronavirus Pandemic and the financial difficulties being faced by the Italian clubs, the Sun are reporting that the deal is now off.

Smalling in action for Manchester United.

A source of the newspaper said: “We know Chris would love to stay and it is a deal which suits all parties at the end of the season.

“The financial reality, however, is very different. The people at Roma have many new things to consider.

“Ole had to make a quick decision call to send Chris out on loan last summer because Marcos Rojo’s move to Everton collapsed at a late stage.

“The manager wasn’t surprised how well Chris has performed at Roma and does remain a fan of his.”

However, Smalling might still make a move away from Old Trafford, with Arsenal long-time admirers of the tough defender and United are still keen to lift his £100,000-a-week wages off their books.