Tottenham Hotspur are said increasingly confident they can strike a deal to sign Chris Smalling in the summer if AS Roma fail to reach to an agreement with Manchester United over a permanent deal.
Tuttosport are the latest publication to reveal Spurs’ interest in Smalling and suggest that Jose Mourinho has identified the England international as the man to help solve the club’s defensive problems.
Smalling completed a loan move to Roma last summer and he has adapted well to life in the Serie A.
His performances this campaign are reportedly attracting interest from both Spurs and Everton (Corriere Dello via The Express) , while Roma are also said to be keen to push through a permanent deal for him in the summer (Calciomercato).
Smalling has admitted that he feels settled in the Italian capital and hinted that a permanent move to Roma is a possibility (BBC Sport).
However, if Roma are not able to meet United’s valuation of the defender, it is suggested that the Tottenham could make their move for the former Fulham man.
Spurs Web Opinion
While Smalling has impressed with his displays this season, at 30 years of age, he will only be a temporary stop-gap rather than a long-term solution. I personally believe that we have to be striving to sign a higher calibre player if we have any hopes of closing the gap with the best teams in the league.