Football transfer rumours: Manchester United reject AS Roma's £13m bid

Manchester United have reportedly rejected a £13 million offer from AS Roma for defender Chris Smalling. Chris Smalling signed a year-long loan deal with AS Roma in the summer and has since impressed the Italian outfit. According to reports in Italy, both Inter Milan, as well as AC Milan, are interested in the player as well. It is therefore believed that Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is holding out a deal to make it up to £17m.

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Inter Milan and AC Milan interested in Chris Smalling

Chris Smalling is said to have been delighted by the interest shown by Inter and AC Milan but would prefer to remain in the Italian capital after settling into life there quickly. AS Roma do not have the first option to automatically sign the 29-year-old as such according to the loan deal, and Woodward remains keen to sell him to the highest bidder to gain the maximum financial benefits from the sale of the defender. 

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Chris Smalling was out of favour at Manchester United

Chris Smalling is still tied to a contract with Manchester United which runs until 2022. However, the player had lost his place at the club following the arrival of Harry Maguire from Leicester City, while Victor Lindelöf, Eric Bailly, Marcus Rojo, Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe also added to the competition.  He was considered a surplus to requirement by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and hence was loaned out. 

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Smalling, a two-time Premier League winner with Manchester United has started AS Roma's last seven games in Serie A. The club is now unbeaten in the league in their last six domestic clashes, and Smalling even scored during their most recent away game against Udinese. It is believed that Roma would not give up on the pursuit of the player and would again lure United with an improved offer.

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