Roma are said to have accepted the fact that they will not be able to sign Chris Smalling, who is rumoured to be a target for Tottenham.
Tuttosport report (as relayed by the Daily Mail) that the Serie A club cannot afford the £18million fee that Manchester United are demanding for the experienced centre back this summer.
Smalling’s loan deal runs out this summer and Roma’s manager, Paulo Fonseca, recently admitted his desire to keep Smalling at the Stadio Olimpico (ESPN).
However, it now looks like they have given up their pursuit of the England international.
Previous reports have indicated that Tottenham are eyeing a move for Smalling with Jose Mourinho said to be keen on reuniting with the defender he worked with during his time at Old Trafford (Corriere Dello Sport via The Express).
Tuttosport now reveals that Roma have turned their attentions to Jan Vertonghen, whose contract with Tottenham runs out this summer.
The Belgian international is expected to leave after eight years in North London and is already said to be learning Italian and Spanish as he eyes a summer move (Football Insider).
Spurs Web Opinion
There is no doubt that Smalling has had a new lease of life during his loan spell at Roma. However, he has shown in the past that he has defensive mistakes in him and so I don’t think he will be the man to solve our fragility at the back.
Keep up to date with all the latest Tottenham news and opinion by following SpursWeb’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
