Roma's CEO hopes Smalling will sign for good from Man United

With his professionalism off the pitch, his assured demeanor on it and his investment in adjusting to the Italian lifestyle, Chris Smalling is earning a growing number of admirers in Rome.

One of those is Roma's sporting director Gianluca Petrachi, the man who played a key role in luring Smalling to the Italian capital from Old Trafford. So impressed is he by the 30-year-old, he hopes Smalling will choose to make his move to Italy a permanent one in the summer.

'There is a chance,' Petrachi told Sportsmail. 'The player will choose what to do. If he really wishes, we will be happy to have him with us permanently.

'We are very happy with Smalling and he knows it. With Manchester United, the relationship is excellent, we have an excellent feeling with the club.'

But it seems that absence has made the heart grow fonder at Old Trafford.

Smalling struggled for his finest form in a season of upheaval last year. Jose Mourinho was sacked, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saw enough of an upturn to take the reins on a permanent basis before results spiraled once again.

When Roma came in for Smalling last summer, a fresh start seemed best for all. But as United continue to stutter under Solskjaer, the wisdom in letting Smalling depart has fallen under greater scrutiny.

In Italy, Smalling looks refreshed and it has shown in his approach to life, not just to football.

'The boy is charismatic,' explains Petrachi. 'He loves Rome and the Italian lifestyle.

'I think it's obvious how it sounds: it's finally peaceful. Smalling finds himself very well in Rome, lives well and has returned to great levels.

'He follows an Italian course to improve his grasp of the language. This made me very happy because it shows that the boy is intelligent.

'Technically he is very strong. I think it is fundamental for a sporting director to understand how some players can do well. I thought this move could work and I'm happy that the results prove me right.'