Chris Smalling ‘could leave Roma in January amid Saudi interest’ with Serie A side open to offers for former Manchester United defender
- Chris Smalling has attracted interest from Saudi clubs
- The 33-year-old has been sidelined since September due to an injury
- Everton’s players must be fed up with the owners – listen up It all starts
Chris Smalling’s Serie A adventure could come to an end due to interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia.
According to Italian outlet Gazetta dello SportRoma are said to be considering offers for the former Manchester United defender in the January transfer window.
Smalling joined the Giallorossi in 2019 and developed into a mainstay of Roma’s defense, winning the 2022 Europa Conference League and signing a two-year extension last summer until June 2025.
However, the 33-year-old has been sidelined for the past three months due to tendonitis in his knee and therefore lost his place in the team.
Smalling has made just three appearances this season and has not featured since Roma’s 2-1 defeat to AC Milan on September 1.
Chris Smalling could leave Roma in January due to interest from Saudi clubs
In October, Smalling flew back to London to have his knee assessed by Andy Williams, a renowned orthopedist who has worked with Premier League clubs.
But the former United defender remains sidelined having already missed 13 games this season with no date set for his return.
Injuries have been a recurring theme during Smalling’s spell in Serie A. He missed 27 games in all competitions in the 2020/21 season and was ruled out for 14 matches in the following season.
And according to Gazzetta, the former England international could be joined in Saudi Arabia by teammates Leonardo Spinazzola and Paulo Dybala.
The former is out of contract at the end of the season and was already on the radar of Saudi clubs last summer, while the latter’s £10m release clause may not be enough to deter potential suitors.
Dybala joined from Juventus at the start of last season and scored 18 goals in 38 games in his debut season in the Eternal City, but has scored just twice so far this season.
Eight Serie A players made the move to the Saudi Pro League this summer, with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic joining Al-Hilal from Lazio on a £37m contract and Raphael Ibanez joining Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr after he joined from Atalanta for £26 million.
Paulo Dybala (left) and Leonardo Spinazzola (right) have also been linked with Saudi clubs
Jose Mourinho’s Roma are seventh in Serie A, 13 points behind Inter Milan
Meanwhile, according to TuttomercatoWebTottenham are monitoring Roma midfielder Bryan Cristante.
The Italy international has been an ever-present for the Giallorossi this season and could cost Spurs around £25m.
Roma are seventh in Serie A with 18 points after twelve games and are 13 points behind leaders Inter Milan, but only three points behind fourth-placed Napoli.
Jose Mourinho’s side are on the verge of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Europa League as they currently sit second in Group G behind Slavia Praha on goal difference.
Both teams have nine points after four games, with Servette third with four points and Sheriff Tiraspol at the bottom of the group with just one point.
