Roma defender Chris Smalling is close to accepting a new two-year contract extension offer from the Giallorossi, despite interest from Inter in his signature.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, who report that the 33-year-old former Manchester United man has decided to commit his future in the Italian capital.
Inter have been reportedly been tracking Smalling’s situation at Roma for the past few months.
The Englishman’s current contract has been set to run out at the end of June, and he has been seen as an ideal option to reinforce the defense on a free transfer during the coming summer transfer window were he to decide to leave the Giallorossi at the end of the campaign.
The Nerazzurri have reportedly been on high alert regarding the situation of Smalling.
However, Roma have been pushing to get an answer from the 33-year-old and have reportedly set a deadline of a couple of weeks in which to provide his response to their offer.
According to the Gazzetta, the Giallorossi’s offer of a new deal is for a two-year contract, the first season of which would see the player earn €3.5 million net and the second of which would see his fixed wages lowered a bit but with potential add-ons.
The newspaper reports that Roma should receive their answer soon, and that it will be a positive one.
According to the Gazzetta, Smalling is close to making the decision to stay at the Stadio Olimpico, where he will continue to be a pillar of the Giallorossi’s defense under Jose Mourinho for another couple seasons.
The former Man United defender has been widely considered to be one of the outstanding defenders in Serie A this season.
As such, Inter have been looking at Smalling as a cost-effective reinforcement to a backline that is set to lose Milan Skriniar and could still see players like Francesco Acerbi, Stefan de Vrij, and Danilo D’Ambrosio out the door in a few months’ time.
