AS Roma plan to up their offer for Manchester United defender Chris Smalling.

Il Romanista says Roma are ready to step up their efforts to land Smalling on a permanent deal by increasing their bid to £13million.

The 30-year-old has thrived in the Italian capital, quickly establishing himself as a leader in Paulo Fonseca's side and the club are keen to have him stay beyond his loan period.

Roma are to reopen negotiations with United as soon as possible having seen movement on any permanent deal stall after an unsuccessful opening bid, believed to be in the region of €10m (£8.5m).

Tiziano Pasquali, an Italian intermediary helping to broker a deal, is reported to have arrived in Rome on Monday ahead of a meeting with Roma chief Gianluca Petrachi, in order to work out a return offer to United.