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Chris Smalling to Roma is back ON! Manchester United defender edges closer to Old Trafford exit as clubs agree £18m deal to make loan deal permanent... hours after his agent puts private jet on standby to fly to Italy to seal deadline day move

Chris Smalling's agent James Featherstone has put a private plane on standby to fly to Italy today and it looks to have proven inspired with the defender edging closer to a return to Italy.

The Manchester United defender spent the day awaiting news of whether Roma and the Old Trafford club had reached accord on his transfer and by early evening an £18million deal, including add-ons, had been agreed.

Despite hype from Italy regarding agreement on a £12.5m fee being close, there was still plenty of negotiating required to meet United's valuation and the Italians eventually raised their offer to bring Smalling back to Rome.