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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

According to Sky in Italy, Manchester United ace Chris Smalling is closing in on a loan switch to AS Roma this summer.

What’s the word?

The 6 foot 4 ace has been a regular in the United squad for the past few seasons, but hasn’t really convinced as a top-calibre centre-back.

The arrival of Harry Maguire from Leicester in a big-money deal put him down the pecking order, whilst Axel Tuanzebe’s return from loan saw him seemingly edge ahead of Smalling too.

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Now, Sky in Italy claim the 29-year-old is nearing a shock season-long loan move to Roma for a €3m (£2.7m) fee, with no option to buy.

Ole’s at the wheel

So the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer revolution continues to gather pace. The Norwegian has been ruthless this summer in getting rid of ageing stars who simply weren’t cutting it at the highest level for United, with Smalling and Alexis Sanchez set to join Romelu Lukaku in Serie A.

The Red Devils boss has publicly admitted he is keen to give the side’s youngsters a chance, and the decision to send Smalling away is only of benefit to someone like Tuanzebe. After a disappointing campaign last season, United are in desperate need of a complete overhaul.

Whilst the Manchester side may not have signed everyone they may have wanted in the summer transfer window, they certainly made some progress in terms of the profile of player they want to build their new team around. The likes of Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James all have the room to grow, and being British, will likely have a closer affinity to the club’s fanbase.

It will still take several more transfer windows to fix, but Smalling’s reported loan exit serves as yet another step in United’s long-term progression under the Norwegian.

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