Roma head coach Paulo Fonseca says he is doing everything he can to try and extend Chris Smalling's stay with the club.
The Manchester United defender is on loan for the 2019/20 season and has impressed in Serie A.
A deal is yet to have been agreed by the clubs over a potential permanent deal for the 30-year-old, but Fonseca says Smalling wants to stay in Rome, and he is trying to secure a deal.
"I will do everything I can to keep him at Roma next year too," Fonseca told ESPN. "I know he wants to stay, let's see what happens.
"He's an amazing man, so humble, so professional. He is adored by the fans and established himself as one of the leaders in the dressing room.
"It's not easy for English central defenders to adapt so quickly to Italian football, the record there isn't good. But he has been amazing."
Smalling did not play in Roma's opening four games of the season, but has gone on to feature heavily in Serie A since.
He still has two years remaining on his contract at Old Trafford, but is said to have settled well in Italy. Whether United will be tempted to agree to a permanent deal is another matter.
