Just two hours ago, AS Roma announced that Manchester United central defender Chris Smalling has completed the medical examination with his new club. Smalling, along with fellow defender Matteo Darmian, join Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez (both Inter Milan) as Red Devils making the switch to Serie A this summer.
According to Sky Sports, Darmian is returning to his home land for a very underwhelming figure of just £1.4 million. United paid £13 million for him four years ago, when they acquired the then 25-year-old from Torino.
Chris Smalling has arrived in Rome and completed a medical… ?? #ASRoma pic.twitter.com/AH5SN1g0cf
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) August 30, 2019
As for Smalling, he moves to Roma on loan, with United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer having the following to say on the matter:
“At the moment we’ve got six center backs and it’s just something that popped up in the last couple of days. Chris fancied the chance to go over there; it’s a new experience, new adventure. He’ll come back better for it because it’s a big club, it’s a good league.”
“There aren’t too many English players who have been playing in Italy so I think he’ll enjoy it.”
Right, Smalling wasn’t going to get in a game over Harry Maguire or Victor Lindelof. As for Sanchez, well now essentially ends the story of the worst acquisition in United history.
We can confirm that Alexis Sanchez joins Inter Milan on loan until 30 June 2020. We wish @Alexis_Sanchez the best of luck in Italy. pic.twitter.com/DdcRQRoEMk
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 29, 2019
Liverpool pay Sadio Mane £150k/week.
Manchester United are paying Alexis Sanchez £175k/week to play for Inter Milan this season.#LFC #MUFCpic.twitter.com/H3EE0UIUSA
— Adam Jones (@adam_joness) August 29, 2019
Wow! Getting paid that much NOT to play? Hey, it’s elite work if you can get it. Who wouldn’t take the money and run on that deal.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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