Roma are urging Chris Smalling to play it tough with Manchester United in negotiations.

The centre-back has been on loan with Roma this season and both player and club are said to be keen on making the move permanent.

Gazzetta dello Sport says Roma chiefs have asked Smalling to stay close to Rome and tell United if they make him return to England that he will not move anywhere else.

While Smalling is keen to stay in Italy, he is said to have remained coy on whether he will heed Roma's request.

The 30-year-old has been a revelation in Rome, instantly becoming a popular figure at the Stadio Olimpico.

But with United reportedly unwilling to budge on their £18million valuation, a stalemate appears to have been reached.

Roma would prefer to pay around £16m for the 31-cap England international.

But they are running out of time if they want Smalling to feature in the rest of their Europa League campaign.