As if the Nicolò Zaniolo issue weren’t enough, Roma now have another controversy to deal with, as it’s reported Chris Smalling has asked to be sold in the January transfer window with Inter waiting.
According to Tuttomercatoweb, the English defender has put in the transfer request after negotiations to extend his contract hit a brick wall.
He will be a free agent when his current deal expires in June anyway, and has already been linked with a move to Inter that would allow him to remain in Serie A.
The 33-year-old originally arrived on loan from Manchester United at a cost of €3m in 2019, then made the move permanent for a further €15m a year later.
Smalling is one of the first names on the teamsheet for Jose Mourinho, making 25 appearances this season in all competition and also scoring three goals.
However, the rumours of issues around the contract extension have been circulating for some time and he could be seen as the replacement for Milan Skriniar at Inter.
Roma have several players pushing for the exit in January, including Zaniolo and Rick Karsdorp.
There is at least some good news, as Sky Sport Italia claim Eldor Shomurodov will join Spezia on loan for €1.5m.