Juventus want ex-Man Utd star Chris Smalling on free transfer as England defender runs down Roma contract
JUVENTUS want to sign ex-Manchester United defender Chris Smalling on a free transfer, according to reports.
Smalling, 33, is currently playing his trade under former Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho at Roma.
GettyJuve would like to sign Smalling on a free transfer[/caption]
The pair have had great success, winning the inaugural Uefa Europa Conference League last term.
But his contract is set to expire at the end of June.
According to Tuttosport, Smalling is one of the players Mourinho is requesting stays in Rome, however the ex-England international is attracting interest from other top clubs such as Juve and Inter Milan.
Smalling fits the profile of the perfect defender Juve are looking for: “quality, reliability and experience.”
He is seen as a priority to replace the legendary Giorgio Chiellini and a “waning” Leonardo Bonucci.
However, wages could prove to be a stumbling block.
Juve would like to reduce Smalling’s £3million-a-year salary.
Instead, a deal would be sealed with bonuses.
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Poland and Spezia star Jakub Kiwior is also on Juve’s radar.
The 22-year-old has had a £17.5m price tag slapped on him by Spezia.
