Manchester United defender Chris Smalling retains hope of returning to Roma next season.

The Sun reports Smalling is willing to “dig his heels in" to get his Old Trafford exit, according to reports in Italy, with Roma's CEO Guido Fienga flying to London to get a deal done.

The centre-back is currently on course to return to duties with United next season.

But he has settled well on loan at Roma, before the stint ended.

He even posted a goodbye Instagram post to the AS Roma fans after his stay at the Stadio Olimpico ended.

Roma hope to do a deal to sign the 30-year-old permanently, but United are determined to hold out for the right price.