Man United’s Smalling to join Roma

Chris Smalling is set to join Roma on loan for the season.

The Manchester United centre-back has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford following the £80million summer acquisition of Harry Maguire from Leicester City.

Smalling has not yet been named on the Red Devils' bench this campaign and is in desperate need of a move to secure first-team football.

The transfer window has already slammed shut in the Premier League, meaning a switch to another English club is off the cards.

But the European window doesn't close until September 2, and Serie A giants Roma have emerged as a top target to sign the former Fulham man.

Roma are prepared to pay €3million (£2.7million) to Manchester United to take Smalling on loan for the season.

The deal is expected to be wrapped up by Wednesday evening, and Roma may be given an option to sign the defender permanently at the end of the season.

AC Milan and Fiorentina are also interested in signing the 29-year-old.

Smalling was pictured arriving at Manchester United's Carrington training ground on Thursday, where he will hold talks with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ahead of a switch.

The Manchester United squad are preparing for their match with Southampton, which Smalling will not be in the squad for once again.

Smalling isn't the only Manchester United player who could join an Italian side on loan this week.

Alexis Sanchez is strongly linked with a move to Inter Milan, and flew out to Italy on Wednesday to complete a medical.

The Chilean is expected to be announced this Thursday.

Sir Alex Ferguson signed Smalling for Manchester United back in 2010 and the centre-back has gone on to represent the Red Devils more than 200 times.