90min

Inter Considering Swap Deal for Manchester United Defender Chris Smalling

By James Cormack

Chris Smalling impressed out on loan at Roma last season
Chris Smalling impressed out on loan at Roma last season / Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images
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Inter have joined Roma in the race for Manchester United defender Chris Smalling and a considering a swap deal which could see Ivan Perisic move in the opposite direction.

Smalling enjoyed a successful loan spell at the Giallorossi last term and was expected to complete a permanent move this summer.

Smalling was expected to re-join the Giallorossi on a permanent basis this summer
Smalling was expected to re-join the Giallorossi on a permanent basis this summer / Soccrates Images/Getty Images

However, the two clubs have not been able to reach an agreement, with Roma’s bids falling approximately €5 million (£4.6m) short of the Red Devils’ €20m valuation.

Thus, with a deal yet to be struck, Inter are set to sneak in under Roma's nose.

Calciomercato claims the Nerazzurri are monitoring Smalling's situation and are exploring the possibility of a swap deal in a bid to bring the Englishman to San Siro this summer.

João Mario, Ivan Perisic and Marcelo Brozovic are the players listed as options for the exchange.

Perisic, however, is the most likely to garner some interest from the Red Devils as their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund superstar Jadon Sancho continues to stall. The Croatian - a former United target under Jose Mourinho - may be a handy stop-gap option before pursuing Sancho once again next summer.

Ivan Perisic doesn't appear to be apart of Antonio Conte's plans
Ivan Perisic doesn't appear to be apart of Antonio Conte's plans / Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

Juventus winger Douglas Costa is another option for United should they fail to land the Englishman for the 2020/21 campaign.

Inter, meanwhile, are in the market for another centre-back despite the arrival of Aleksandar Kolarov from Roma earlier this month. The Serbia skipper is set to provide cover for Alessandro Bastoni on the left side of Antonio Conte's three-man defence.

The Nerazzurri have seemingly missed out on talented Verona defender Marash Kumbulla, who's poised to join Roma in a €30m deal. Diego Godin is expected to leave the club after just one season and Conte needs to replace him.

More competent cover for Milan Skriniar and Stefan de Vrij is required, and Smalling would be an astute choice following his success in Serie A last time around.