Roma want to sign Man Utd defender Smalling and Arsenal’s Mkhitaryan permanently

Roma head coach Paulo Fonseca stated the Serie A aspect want to sign loanees Chris Smalling and Henrikh Mkhitaryan permanently.

Smalling and Mkhitaryan are on season-long mortgage offers from Premier League duo Manchester United and Arsenal respectively.

United centre-back Smalling has impressed for Roma, who’re decided to make the England worldwide’s deal a everlasting one within the Italian capital.

“Chris is a good, nice man, a fantastic, nice skilled,” Fonseca informed Sky Sports News.

“The adaptation [to Italian football] was very straightforward for him. He’s a boy that everybody loves within the membership as a result of he is a good skilled.

“I would really like Chris to keep. We are talking. I do not know whether it is potential due to the state of affairs with Manchester United, however I would really like a lot for Chris to keep right here with us as a result of he is essential.

“He is a good participant, a fantastic man with a fantastic angle each day and for all of those causes I’d be very comfortable if Chris stays.”

Era una partita importante da vincere, per la squadra, per la fiducia, per andare avanti nelle prossime sfide @OfficialASRoma #ASRoma #RomaLecce #Micki #Mkhitaryan #MickiMagic pic.twitter.com/kUtsnDls1L

— Henrikh Mkhitaryan (@HenrikhMkh) February 23, 2020

Mkhitaryan, a former United team-mate of Smalling, has skilled an injury-interrupted spell with Roma.

However, the attacking midfielder has nonetheless managed 5 Serie A objectives and a pair of assists after scoring and creating one other within the 4-Zero rout of Lecce on Sunday.

“Mkhi throughout this season obtained some accidents however he’s returning now and he’s proving his high quality,” Fonseca stated.

“Let’s see. He is a participant with nice choices on the pitch and I’d additionally like to maintain Mkhi in our group.”

Roma are fifth within the Serie A standings, three factors adrift of Atalanta, who occupy the fourth and remaining Champions League spot.

Published 24 Feb 2020, 12:30 IST