Roma are giving up on keeping hold of on-loan Manchester United defender Chris Smalling.

Tuttosport says Roma 'have accepted defeat' in their efforts to keep Smalling and will pursue other targets 'including Tottenham's Jan Vertonghen.'

Smalling has been excellent during his time with the Serie A club and Roma were keen to make the defender's loan permanent.

But Roma's poor financial situation has put Smalling's asking price of around £18million beyond their reach.

Smalling has two years remaining on his £2.7m-a-year United contract and the Old Trafford club are happy to sell him.