Deal CLOSE: Roma gear up move for Arsenal defender as replacement for on loan Manchester United player

Roma gear up move for Arsenal defender as replacement for on loan Manchester United player

Seria A side, Roma are gearing up a move for Arsenal defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos as an alternative to on loan Manchester United defender, Chris Smalling.

Chris Smalling spent majority of 2019/20 season with Roma and impressed the club hierarchy as he made 30 appearances helping Roma finish fifth in Serie A.

However, Roma have been unable to meet United’s valuation of the England International as he is valued at £20million and this has become a headache to the coaching staff.

Roma have now been forced to look at other options to bolster their defensive options ahead of next season and Sokratis might be the chosen one.

With Arsenal reportedly agreeing a deal to sign Gabriel from Lille, the 32-year-old could find himself surplus to requirements at the Emirates thus a move to Rome could be the next option.

Arsenal would also love to sell him off if they are able sign Gabriel as that could be an additional money to sign a new player as well.

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Sokratis Papastathopoulos will be eager to move back to Italy having played with Genoa for two seasons between 2009 and 2011 before joining AC Milan.