Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has joined AS Roma on loan, the Italian club have announced.
The 29-year-old, who signed a new deal until 2022 in December, was told by United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that he could not guarantee him regular first-team football this season.
Therefore, Smalling is set to spend the campaign at the Serie A club.
“This is the perfect opportunity for me,” he told Roma’s website. “The chance to experience a new league, with a big team that has got big aspirations is exactly what I needed.”
Smalling joins Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku in leaving Old Trafford for Serie A.
1/21 2019/20 summer transfer window ranked and rated
Which club had the best window ahead of the start of the new season?
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
2/21 20. Newcastle United
Forget the numerous arrivals – Newcastle are a team still reeling from the departure of Rafael Benítez in June as well as their two top goal scorers last season: Solomón Rondón and Ayoze Pérez. Joelinton’s £40m arrival from Hoffenheim is fascinating but the 22-year-old is hardly prolific, having scored just 22 goals in 83 league appearances. Andy Carroll is a good addition – but how many matches can Newcastle expect him to play? In short: a disastrous summer means it’s likely to be a very, very difficult season for new manager Steve Bruce.
Newcastle United via Getty Image
3/21 19. Burnley
Sean Dyche likes a tight-knit side: but have they done enough this window? Jay Rodriguez should add a handful of goals after the retirement of Peter Crouch. Danny Drinkwater is a solid addition on loan. And they have managed to retain James Tarkowski despite widespread interest in the defender. But they have a thin squad and should they get unlucky with injuries it could be a long season.
PA
4/21 18. Crystal Palace
The good news is Palace have been able to hang on to club talisman Wilfried Zaha – just. The bad news is that he is clearly unsettled, they haven’t been able to replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back and they haven’t signed a new striker to replace the departing Michy Batshuayi. James McCarthy is a good signing, but who knows how long he will be able to remain fit for. Ditto Gary Cahill. It’s not looking particularly good for Palace.
Getty Images
5/21 17. Chelsea
What a job Frank Lampard has on his hands this season. Chelsea’s inability to make any new signings until next summer means that the new manager is going to have to rely heavily on his young players this summer. The club were able to make Mateo Kovacic’s loan permanent, while Christian Pulisic returns to the club from Dortmund having signed last winter, but they are a weaker side than last season. Principally because of Eden Hazard, but David Luiz will also be missed.
Chelsea FC via Getty Images
6/21 16. Bournemouth
A typical Bournemouth summer in many respects. They have successfully held onto their key players – particularly Callum Wilson and Joshua King – while recruiting shrewdly from the Football League. Philip Billing is a particularly smart signing while 22-year-old livewire Arnaut Danjuma is a more eye-catching arrival. They should be okay.
AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
7/21 15. Liverpool
An extremely difficult window to judge. Liverpool spent big last summer and clearly felt they could not reasonably expect to improve their squad given their financial constraints this season. The European champions are a settled unit and look like the only team with a realistic chance of ending Manchester City’s domestic dominance, but may come to regret strengthening if they are hit by injuries in key positions – particularly at the back.
Getty Images
8/21 14. Southampton
Ralph Hasenhüttl worked wonders with this team last season and the additions of Che Adams and Moussa Djenepo – plus the permanent signing of Danny Ings – gives him plenty of options in attack. But it’s a lopsided squad and they remain vulnerable at the back.
Getty
9/21 13. Norwich City
You know you’ve had a frugal window when your most glamorous arrival is Sam Byram pitching up from West Ham United. Norwich are unable to spend the money Aston Villa have been throwing around and so have recruited frugally. Josip Drmic could prove a valuable signing although there are question marks over his fitness.
PA
10/21 12. Sheffield United
Sheffield United have broken their transfer record four times since winning promotion last season. So much rests on how their most expensive signing – the 23-year-old forward Oli McBurnie – adjusts to the Premier League. Should he adapt quickly, Chris Wilder’s unusually attacking style of play could rattle a few feathers in the top-flight. But if the goals aren’t forthcoming, it will be a gruelling campaign for the play-off winners, whose squad lacks Premier League experience.
Getty
11/21 11. Brighton & Hove Albion
New manager Graham Potter has presided over a fairly comprehensive summer refresh after last season’s worrying capitulation – although, crucially, Lewis Dunk has remained at the club. He will be partnered in defence by £20m arrival Adam Webster, one of the best players in the Championship last season, with Aaron Mooy arriving on loan.
Action Images via Reuters
12/21 10. Manchester United
It was a transfer window that promised so much more. Harry Maguire is an excellent signing and could well become important to this United team as Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool. But going forward, there are serious question marks, particularly after the departure of Romelu Lukaku. Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bisakka are fine additions but will take time to bed-in. You would think it’s going to be extremely difficult for Ole Gunnar Solskjær to crack the top four with this squad.
Getty Images
13/21 9. Wolves
Wolves needed a striker this summer and they have spent big on Italian prospect Patrick Cutrone, shelling out £16m for the AC Milan man. Crucially, they also retained Raul Jiminez and Leander Dendoncker, who impressed on their loan spells at the club last season.
Getty
14/21 8. Watford
Watford left their business late into the window, but end the summer significantly stronger than how they started it. Danny Welbeck is a proven Premier League performer and guarantees goals. Meanwhile Ismaila Sarr is one of the most exciting young talents in European football. His performances for Rennes last season had clubs all across Europe interested: regular first-team football at Vicarage Road will help the 21-year-old’s development no end.
Getty
15/21 7. Leicester City
A smart, solid window. Leicester finished strongly under Brendan Rodgers last season and will have been delighted to make Youri Tielemans’ loan move permanent, especially considering rumours Manchester United wanted to lift him off their hands. There are meanwhile high hopes that Ayoze Perez will succeed where Kelechi Iheanacho and Islam Slimani have failed. Harry Magurie is a huge loss and does leave them short in defence, but to sell him for a world-record fee nevertheless represents excellent business.
Getty Images
16/21 6. Aston Villa
Is there anybody in professional football they haven’t attempted to sign this summer? Villa are undoubtedly the Premier League’s big movers, splurging over £100m since winning promotion from the Championship. The new team could fail to gel much like Fulham last season, but Tyrone Mings and Trezeguet are fine signings, while the likes of Tom Heaton and Matty Targett add some much needed Premier League experience.
Aston Villa FC via Getty Images
17/21 5. Manchester City
Dauntingly for the rest of the Premier League, the best team in the country have got even better this summer. Rodri has slotted seamlessly into the team in pre-season and is the natural long-term successor to Fernandinho. The versatile João Cancelo will compete with both sets of full-backs. The heart of defence, following the departure of Vincent Kompany, is the only real weak point. But that’s a minor quibble.
PA
18/21 4. West Ham
West Ham have once again spent big this summer as Manuel Pellegrini attempts to gate-crash the top six. The club broke their transfer record to sign target man Sébastien Haller – who was excellent alongside Luka Jović at Frankfurt last season – but Pablo Fornals is just as exciting a signing. Should the Spaniard rediscover his 2017/18 form, his attacking partnership with Haller and Felipe Anderson has the potential to be electric.
Getty
19/21 3. Tottenham Hotspur
An exceptionally good transfer window that was so nearly perfect. Tottenham’s ultimate failure to finalise a deal for the Juventus striker Paulo Dybala saw the window end with a palpable tinge of disappointment, but it should not go unnoticed that Daniel Levy delivered Mauricio Pochettino his three primary transfer targets. Ryan Sessegnon is a raw talent whose future is surely in safe hands with the Argentine. Tanguy Ndombele is an exciting arrival who should help finally fill the gap left by Moussa Dembele. And Giovani Lo Celso is a dynamic and adaptable midfielder who has all the ability to take English football by storm. There’ll be a lot of pressure on him if Christian Eriksen does indeed leave north London this month, as expected.
Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I
20/21 2. Everton
There have been some big departures this summer – particularly Idrissa Gueye and Kurt Zouma – but a series of big-money arrivals have helped lift spirits at Goodison Park. Mosie Kean is naturally the most eye-catching – the teenager was deputising for Cristiano Ronaldo just a few months ago – while Alex Iwobi is an intriguing addition to the squad. But to make Andre Gomes’ loan from Barcelona permanent for £22m – particularly given the interest of Tottenham earlier in the window – has to be one of the best signings of the window.
Getty
21/21 1. Arsenal
Who honesty expected a transfer window like this when Josh Kroenke told Arsenal fans to ‘be excited’ back in mid-July? Club-record signing Nicolas Pepe provides the squad with some much needed incision, while Dani Ceballos looks exactly like the sort of player the much-maligned Denis Suárez was supposed to be. Kieran Tierney and David Luiz meanwhile strengthen the defence, undoubtedly the team’s weakness last season.
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
1/21 2019/20 summer transfer window ranked and rated
Which club had the best window ahead of the start of the new season?
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
2/21 20. Newcastle United
Forget the numerous arrivals – Newcastle are a team still reeling from the departure of Rafael Benítez in June as well as their two top goal scorers last season: Solomón Rondón and Ayoze Pérez. Joelinton’s £40m arrival from Hoffenheim is fascinating but the 22-year-old is hardly prolific, having scored just 22 goals in 83 league appearances. Andy Carroll is a good addition – but how many matches can Newcastle expect him to play? In short: a disastrous summer means it’s likely to be a very, very difficult season for new manager Steve Bruce.
Newcastle United via Getty Image
3/21 19. Burnley
Sean Dyche likes a tight-knit side: but have they done enough this window? Jay Rodriguez should add a handful of goals after the retirement of Peter Crouch. Danny Drinkwater is a solid addition on loan. And they have managed to retain James Tarkowski despite widespread interest in the defender. But they have a thin squad and should they get unlucky with injuries it could be a long season.
PA
4/21 18. Crystal Palace
The good news is Palace have been able to hang on to club talisman Wilfried Zaha – just. The bad news is that he is clearly unsettled, they haven’t been able to replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back and they haven’t signed a new striker to replace the departing Michy Batshuayi. James McCarthy is a good signing, but who knows how long he will be able to remain fit for. Ditto Gary Cahill. It’s not looking particularly good for Palace.
Getty Images
5/21 17. Chelsea
What a job Frank Lampard has on his hands this season. Chelsea’s inability to make any new signings until next summer means that the new manager is going to have to rely heavily on his young players this summer. The club were able to make Mateo Kovacic’s loan permanent, while Christian Pulisic returns to the club from Dortmund having signed last winter, but they are a weaker side than last season. Principally because of Eden Hazard, but David Luiz will also be missed.
Chelsea FC via Getty Images
6/21 16. Bournemouth
A typical Bournemouth summer in many respects. They have successfully held onto their key players – particularly Callum Wilson and Joshua King – while recruiting shrewdly from the Football League. Philip Billing is a particularly smart signing while 22-year-old livewire Arnaut Danjuma is a more eye-catching arrival. They should be okay.
AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
7/21 15. Liverpool
An extremely difficult window to judge. Liverpool spent big last summer and clearly felt they could not reasonably expect to improve their squad given their financial constraints this season. The European champions are a settled unit and look like the only team with a realistic chance of ending Manchester City’s domestic dominance, but may come to regret strengthening if they are hit by injuries in key positions – particularly at the back.
Getty Images
8/21 14. Southampton
Ralph Hasenhüttl worked wonders with this team last season and the additions of Che Adams and Moussa Djenepo – plus the permanent signing of Danny Ings – gives him plenty of options in attack. But it’s a lopsided squad and they remain vulnerable at the back.
Getty
9/21 13. Norwich City
You know you’ve had a frugal window when your most glamorous arrival is Sam Byram pitching up from West Ham United. Norwich are unable to spend the money Aston Villa have been throwing around and so have recruited frugally. Josip Drmic could prove a valuable signing although there are question marks over his fitness.
PA
10/21 12. Sheffield United
Sheffield United have broken their transfer record four times since winning promotion last season. So much rests on how their most expensive signing – the 23-year-old forward Oli McBurnie – adjusts to the Premier League. Should he adapt quickly, Chris Wilder’s unusually attacking style of play could rattle a few feathers in the top-flight. But if the goals aren’t forthcoming, it will be a gruelling campaign for the play-off winners, whose squad lacks Premier League experience.
Getty
11/21 11. Brighton & Hove Albion
New manager Graham Potter has presided over a fairly comprehensive summer refresh after last season’s worrying capitulation – although, crucially, Lewis Dunk has remained at the club. He will be partnered in defence by £20m arrival Adam Webster, one of the best players in the Championship last season, with Aaron Mooy arriving on loan.
Action Images via Reuters
12/21 10. Manchester United
It was a transfer window that promised so much more. Harry Maguire is an excellent signing and could well become important to this United team as Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool. But going forward, there are serious question marks, particularly after the departure of Romelu Lukaku. Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bisakka are fine additions but will take time to bed-in. You would think it’s going to be extremely difficult for Ole Gunnar Solskjær to crack the top four with this squad.
Getty Images
13/21 9. Wolves
Wolves needed a striker this summer and they have spent big on Italian prospect Patrick Cutrone, shelling out £16m for the AC Milan man. Crucially, they also retained Raul Jiminez and Leander Dendoncker, who impressed on their loan spells at the club last season.
Getty
14/21 8. Watford
Watford left their business late into the window, but end the summer significantly stronger than how they started it. Danny Welbeck is a proven Premier League performer and guarantees goals. Meanwhile Ismaila Sarr is one of the most exciting young talents in European football. His performances for Rennes last season had clubs all across Europe interested: regular first-team football at Vicarage Road will help the 21-year-old’s development no end.
Getty
15/21 7. Leicester City
A smart, solid window. Leicester finished strongly under Brendan Rodgers last season and will have been delighted to make Youri Tielemans’ loan move permanent, especially considering rumours Manchester United wanted to lift him off their hands. There are meanwhile high hopes that Ayoze Perez will succeed where Kelechi Iheanacho and Islam Slimani have failed. Harry Magurie is a huge loss and does leave them short in defence, but to sell him for a world-record fee nevertheless represents excellent business.
Getty Images
16/21 6. Aston Villa
Is there anybody in professional football they haven’t attempted to sign this summer? Villa are undoubtedly the Premier League’s big movers, splurging over £100m since winning promotion from the Championship. The new team could fail to gel much like Fulham last season, but Tyrone Mings and Trezeguet are fine signings, while the likes of Tom Heaton and Matty Targett add some much needed Premier League experience.
Aston Villa FC via Getty Images
17/21 5. Manchester City
Dauntingly for the rest of the Premier League, the best team in the country have got even better this summer. Rodri has slotted seamlessly into the team in pre-season and is the natural long-term successor to Fernandinho. The versatile João Cancelo will compete with both sets of full-backs. The heart of defence, following the departure of Vincent Kompany, is the only real weak point. But that’s a minor quibble.
PA
18/21 4. West Ham
West Ham have once again spent big this summer as Manuel Pellegrini attempts to gate-crash the top six. The club broke their transfer record to sign target man Sébastien Haller – who was excellent alongside Luka Jović at Frankfurt last season – but Pablo Fornals is just as exciting a signing. Should the Spaniard rediscover his 2017/18 form, his attacking partnership with Haller and Felipe Anderson has the potential to be electric.
Getty
19/21 3. Tottenham Hotspur
An exceptionally good transfer window that was so nearly perfect. Tottenham’s ultimate failure to finalise a deal for the Juventus striker Paulo Dybala saw the window end with a palpable tinge of disappointment, but it should not go unnoticed that Daniel Levy delivered Mauricio Pochettino his three primary transfer targets. Ryan Sessegnon is a raw talent whose future is surely in safe hands with the Argentine. Tanguy Ndombele is an exciting arrival who should help finally fill the gap left by Moussa Dembele. And Giovani Lo Celso is a dynamic and adaptable midfielder who has all the ability to take English football by storm. There’ll be a lot of pressure on him if Christian Eriksen does indeed leave north London this month, as expected.
Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I
20/21 2. Everton
There have been some big departures this summer – particularly Idrissa Gueye and Kurt Zouma – but a series of big-money arrivals have helped lift spirits at Goodison Park. Mosie Kean is naturally the most eye-catching – the teenager was deputising for Cristiano Ronaldo just a few months ago – while Alex Iwobi is an intriguing addition to the squad. But to make Andre Gomes’ loan from Barcelona permanent for £22m – particularly given the interest of Tottenham earlier in the window – has to be one of the best signings of the window.
Getty
21/21 1. Arsenal
Who honesty expected a transfer window like this when Josh Kroenke told Arsenal fans to ‘be excited’ back in mid-July? Club-record signing Nicolas Pepe provides the squad with some much needed incision, while Dani Ceballos looks exactly like the sort of player the much-maligned Denis Suárez was supposed to be. Kieran Tierney and David Luiz meanwhile strengthen the defence, undoubtedly the team’s weakness last season.
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
While Sanchez has moved to Inter Milan on loan, Lukaku has signed a permanent deal with the Italian side.
