Fulham are interested in bringing Chris Smalling back to Craven Cottage after his proposed permanent move to AS Roma seems to have fallen through.
The England centre back spent last term on loan with the Italian giants but has returned to Manchester United after Roma failed to meet his parent club’s £20m asking price. The 30 year-old, who made 30 appearances for the Giallorossi and found the net three times, had been eager to move to Italy after slipping down the pecking order at Old Trafford but Roma’s reluctance to match either United’s valuation or to be able to pay his wages for another loan leaves Smalling in limbo.
Reports yesterday suggested that several Premier League clubs had been alerted to Smalling’s availability following the collapse of his proposed switch to Roma. Newcastle have long been admirers of the 6’4” centre half but, the collapse of a recent takeover bid leaves the Magpies unable to fund significant transfers without the approval of Mike Ashley. Smalling’s rumoured £130,000-a-week wages would be a stumbing block for any suitors, although he was believed to be willing to take a hefty cut in salary to secure a move to Roma had it materialised.
Fulham’s interest in their former player is considered legitimate, although it remains to be seen whether they would look to take him on loan initially or table a bid to bring Smalling back outright. The defender’s professional career began at Craven Cottage after Roy Hodgson signed him from Maidstone United in 2008. The ball-playing centre half flourished under Hodgson’s influence at Craven Cottage, breaking into the first team as a teenager and not looking out of place when he stepped into alongside either Brede Hangeland or Aaron Hughes at the back. He made nineteen appearances in total, helping the Whites reach the Europa League final, before joining Manchester United for £11.5m in July 2010.
Smalling, who has made more than 300 appearances for United, would represent the sort of experienced Premier League defender that Scott Parker wants to build his defence around as Fulham attempt to avoid the mistakes that plagued their last season in the top flight. Whether the defender would consider rejoining the club that gave him his first shot in senior football is still an unknown, although Smalling is eager for regular first-team football having been dropped by England boss Gareth Southgate in November 2017.
One of our own. I can see him alongside Hector. He’s an intelligent guy. We could do a lot worse
Bring him home.
Yep. Would be alright with this. Like Bill said, one of our own.
Superb idea – resign him asap
Good Experienced Player what Fulham need
Be an excellent signing
Wow, please explain how we could do a lot worse!!
Snap him up
We are not that sort of club to pay someone £130.000 p/w and it would not be fair to the other players if we did.
Dont hold your breath! It’s far too logical a move for the little American boy playing with daddy’s toy !!!
Smalling is exactly the type of defender we need,play him alongside Hector and we have a solid defense. This type of signing is a constructive one not like the negative ones of the past
some height in defence be good ?
His past it got to give Mawson a chance.
Good defender
But a lot of money
Came through Millwall academy then Maidstone
Signed when coming up to 17 not sure how that makes him one of our own
£20m is far too much for him, and if Roma think his wages are too high… they probably are.
Too good to be true. Unfortunately.
Just look at how many headed goals have been scored against us this season.
He would be a real asset.
I agree with John Saunders above. Daddy’s boy wouldn’t sign him the reason being he hasn’t played in the French or Spanish lower leagues so his stats will be crap
His wage bill may cause problems with his teammates. Can’t make more than Mitro. On paper, it looks great if the backroom problem can be worked with the returning players. Chemistry was our downfall last time.
130 grand a week plus 20 million fee prices him out surely. Some attributes look good but that was ten years ago.Last England games weren’t great.
Too much money, he’s not worth more than what we sold him for 10 years ago even with all the experience that his had with England & United
Man u would not have let him go if he was good enough for EPL even as back up. Might be OK to bring Mawson up to speed but £10m is plenty.